
Class TS>36a.S .. 
Book, , \^57 F -G) 
Copyright N" liliS 

COIVRIGHT DEPOSm 



"FOREST ECHOES" 




VERSE 

BY 

MARIE MALMQUIST 






*!,V- 



COPYRIGHTED 1920. 

By Marie Malmquist 

Rights Reserved 



MAY ^2 1920 



©C!,A58o924 



r 



DEDICATED TO 
^ AMERICAN MANHOOD 



'FOREST ECHOES" 



CONTENTS. 



A BARNYARD LAY 178 

A CONQUEST 35 

A FAIR EXCHANGE 193 

A MODEL INVASION 90 

A PROCESS 54 

A SERMON 30 

A TRIBUTE TO ROOSEVELT 70 

A THANKSGIVING 75 

A TALE OF THE DELL 86 

ALL IN ALL 50 

AN APPEAL 167 

AN OPTIMISTIC VIEW 185 

ARYANS 126 

AS IT IS 68 

AS IT IS WRITTEN 195 

AT FREEDOM'S CALL 131 

AT YULE TIDE 34 

BEAR IN MIND THE TRIALS HERE 149 

BECAUSE OF YOU! 52 

BE TRUE! 71 

BLENDA 115 

BEWARE! 137 

BROTHERHOOD 163 

CLAMOR FOR FOOD 44 

CHAMELEONS 53 

"COLUMBIA," GO SHEATHE YOUR SWORD! 66 

COLUMBUS 68 

COME UNTO ME! 175 

CONTRASTS 184 

CROSS PURPOSES 18 

DANIEL 195 

DAWNINGS 198 

DAYS 51 

DISTILLATION 204 



"FOREST ECHOES" 

EFFORT AND ENDEAVOR 194 

ETHER WAVES 60 

EZEKIEL 195 

FIRST SETTLERS 109 

"FOREST ECHOES" 11 

FOUR DECADES LATER 103 

GOLD 132 

GOOD humor' '..'.'. '. '. '. '. '. '. '. '. '. '. '. '. ". ". '. ". '. '. '. ". '. '. '. ". '. 199 

"GOOD MORNING" 189 

GRANNY LAMORE 120 

HAD I THE WINGS! 162 

HOME 59 

now THE BEAR WAS FELLED 79 

IN PASSAGE 187 

IN THE LIMELIGHT 167 

ISABELLA OF SPAIN 192 

INVENTION 136 

JE N'OUBLIfi 206 

JOY 48 

JOY SUPREME 47 

KEEP AT THE HELM! 151 

LAKE MADAWASKA 81 

LINES 141 

LIFE'S MIRRORS 150 

LOAVES AND LEAVEN 127 

MARCH WEATHER 15 

MAID OF THE FOREST 117 

MAY THIRTIETH 73 

MERRY MAIDS A-DANCING! 116 

MORNING HYMN 206 

MOTORING 56 

MODERN WORSHIP 202 

MY COMPANION 25 

MY GARDEN 21 

'NEATH FOREIGN SKIES 148 



"FOREST ECHOES" 

ON THE COMING OF THE AEROPLANE .... 26 
OUR DEMOCRACY 200 

PERSPECTIVES 170 

PRAYER ANSWERED 28 

REALMS OF THOUGHT 146 

REGRETS 41 

REVERBERATIONS 188 

SARCASM 196 

SAILING 46 

SENSE AND NONSENSE 118 

SEPTEMBER'S CHANGE 135 

SESAME 114 

SHEPHERD OF THE FLOCK! 169 

SHOWERS 165 

SILHOUETTES 190 

SIMPLICITY'S OWN 137 

SOMEBODY'S HOME 42 

SORROW'S DAUGHTER 140 

SPICES 165 

SPRING SONG 22 

STARLIGHT OF MY DREAMS 119 

'STEENTH STREET LET LOOSE 186 

STRATEGY ' 144 

SUMMER IN AROOSTOOK 84 

TO THE ALLIES 176 

THE ALTAR OF BAAL 197 

THE BEAGLE 173 

THE BORDERLANDS OF INIQUITY 172 

THE CALL 39 

THE CAT AND THE MOUSE 134 

THE DEATH OF THE VILLAGE DOCTOR . . 173 

THE EARTH'S LAMENT 171 

THE FRINGED GENTIAN 122 

THE HUT IN THE WOODS WHERE THE 

CEDARS GROW 37 

THE IMMIGRANT . . : 161 

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC 143 

THE MERMAID 142 



19 "FOREST ECHOES" 

THE MISCHIEF-MAKER 177 

THE MISSTER 129 

THE MORNING AFTER THE DAY BEFORE 138 

THE OLD HOUSE AND THE NEW Ill 

THE OLD PIONEER 14 

THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE 58 

THE PRINCESS MY-OWNIEI 121 

THE QUEST 133 

THE SONG OF THE SPECKLED HEN 180 

THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM 167 

TWIN STARS 49 

THE STUBBLE FIELD 61 

THINE OWN 29 

THE TREATY 174 

TO A DANDELION 176 

TO A WANDERER 147 

TOMMY'S TROUBLES 152 

TOO TIRED TO PRAY! 203 

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL! 128 

VENTILATION 205 

VESTALS WAITING 139 

VOICES OF SUMMER 77 

WHAT IS IT TO YOU ? 130 

WHAT IS THERE TO DO ? 12 

WHAT IS LIFE ? 16 

V/HEN SPRINGTIME RETURNS 23 

WHERE SLEEPS THE LION OF THE NORTH 124 

WINTER SWAY 83 

WIT 193 

WHY IS IT SO ? 123 

WORSHIP 196 

YOU 45 

YULE THOUGHTS 33 

YOU'RE SWEETER BY FAR AS YOU WERE 

—AS YOU ARE! 125 

ZENOBIA 141 



"FOREST ECHOES" U 



'FOREST ECHOES" 



Vesper and willow 

That strengthen and pillow 

Our forest home in the glade. 

With forests around it 

That tenderly bound it. 

As yet, are untouched by the blade. 

The tendrils about it 

Are paths — Can you doubt it? — 

Where little ones run to meet 

The voices and fancies 

In roses and pansies. 

That we, in our dreams, find sweet. 

These voices and fancies 
In roses and pansies 
We find in our dear retreat 
Are mingled with others 
Of sisters and brothers 
Left out in the slush and sleet. 



1^ "FOREST ECHOES" 



DEDICATED TO AMERICAN MANHOOD. 
WHAT IS THERE TO DO? 



When you've traveled along on a wearysome trail 

And find half the distance run. 
And perceive that the finish to you must mean fail 

To do what you ought to have done, — 
What is there to do but to stop and retain 

What energy still you possess? 
And make up your mind that it shall not in vain 

Have been wasted as onward you press 



To a different goal on a path of your own, 

With a different guiding star 
On a wider horizon, where trails are unknown, 

And prejudice never may mar 
A landscape where sometimes the vision is blurred 

By pale mists of wonder and doubt. — 
What is there to do when that Voice must be heard 

That commands you to stop and find out ? 



"FOREST ECHOES" 13 

What is there to do when the billows run high 

And shut out all signals from land? 
And the chart that you guided your staunch craft 

Has been torn by an unloving hand? [by 
What is there to do but take hold at the helm 

With God's own star as your guide. 
With faith that no power on Earth may o'erwhelm 

Sail over the ocean wide? 

What is there to do when the loved ones we lost 

Are shut out from your view and mine 
But love mankind better, and wherever tossed, 

To no selfish solace incline? 
Love wide as the universe, boundless as space 

Must redeem what is wrong in our years; 
Thus loyally paths to Eternity trace, 

And leave with the past all its fears. 

What is there to do when strong foes abound 

Like boasting Goliahs of old. 
With armor as strong as on Earth may be found 

In limitless glitter, and bold? 
What is there to do but get ready your sling 

And pebbles you may have at hand, — 
With unerring faith send each on the wing 

And scatter the Philistine band? 



14 "FOREST ECHOES" 



THE OLD PIONEER 



His mind is keen and his eye is bright 
But his locks are scanty and few. 
Look well at his shoulders, — you would bt 
To call them sadly askew. [right 

Those shoulders where years of privation 
Grim burdens by poverty hurled [would send 
E're his back showed the bend that years 
To the sturdiest back in the world, [will lend 

But his is the bend of the sturdy forms 

Of trees on the windswept hill. 

That shows that in spite of a thousand 

storms 
They are strong and unconquered still. 

To grandchildren playing about his knee 
He is playmate, bard, and sage; 
For his is a kindliness wide and free. 
And a wisdom that comes with age. 

He knows the worth of a life well spent. 
And the value of dollars and cents, 
A simple faith and a calm content, — 
He learned it in Poverty's trench. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 16 

Not for him the din of the dusty street — 
He's a child of the forest still! 
For him the meadows with odors sweet, 
And woodland scenes until 

At last his enraptured spirit thrills 
To the realms of Paradise, 
And he sees o'er the Everlasting Hill* 
The Sun of Righteousness rise. 



o 



MARCH WEATHER 



Tis drifting in to right and left 

Thro older drifts that the sun has cleft; 

And finds in crevice of roof and wall 

A hiding place for the winter call. 

And the lesser call of low degree 

Is nipped in the bud in hedge and tree. 

It fetters and binds the invisible thing 
That hides in the magic name of Spiing, 
Light as down yet hard as Fate 
Apart by itself and away from the gi'ate; 
Its powers grow lesser and lesser 'tis true 
As the spirit of Spring is bom anew. 



16 "FOREST ECHOES" 

It cannot depart from its oldtime sway — 
When March-weather comes it is bound to stay- 
To foster and taunt the invisible thing 
That hides in the magic name of Spring, 
And will not be nipped in the bud at all 
In spite of the strength of the winter call. 



o 



WHAT IS LIFE? 



The buds were a-bursting, — the woods were astir, 
And life, bouyant life everywhere; 

The pale light of dawn touched the hemlock and 

fir, 
And the fragrance of Summer was there. 

The chattering squirrel made himself heard. 

And then with the note of the first early bird 
Came the tinkling of brooklet and rill. 

I asked of all other things, — asked of myself, 

A question that often before 
I had asked, but in vain, as I tried to delve 

Deep, deep to the innermost core 
Of the mystery of Being! I asked. "What is Life? 
And what is the meaning of all endless strife? 

The why, and the wherefore of all?" 



"FOREST ECHOES" 17 

I asked of the squirrel, "Sir. what do you think 

This life in reality is?" 
He tackled a nut, and said with a wink, — 

"My answer at present is this: — 
That Life is a nut, a hard one to crack; 
I may find another before I get back." 

And then he was off like a flash. 

Then I turned to the rill and the murmuring 

brook, 

And asked that same question again. 
They searched for the answer in shallow and nook. 

On flowery banks in the glen; 
"Life is but an endless hurrying on, — 
And then, e'er you know it, the best part is gone — 

Is over and done with, and gone!" 

Then I asked of the owl in the blandest of tones, 
"Now what is your idea, pray? 

Is Life but a rush over pebble and stone? 
A hurry and scurry away?" 

The owl answered gravely, — "This Life is a hoot ! 

A harsh, and a hollow and cracked one to boot!" 
Then he tilted his head and looked wise. 

I asked of the sparrow, the snail, and the fowl, 
I asked in the meadow and glen. 



18 "FOREST ECHOES" 

The answers I got were like that of the owl, 

With this practical one from the hen: — 
"I know for a certainty Life is a scratch, 
A tiresome, continual, strenuous scratch, — " 

"A conundrum, my dear!" said the snail. 

Then out from the East came in splendor the Sun, 
The glorious King of the sky. 

Proclaiming to all things that Day had begun, — 
Proclaiming it wide and high: — 

"Life is a Beginning!" he joyously cried, 

" 'tis but a Beginning, — it can't be denied !" 
All Nature cried "Amen" at that. 



o 



CROSS PURPOSES 



When snowdrifts were things forgotten and gone, 
And the sun his northerly course had begun 
My weekly washing demanded my care, — 
The clothesline was stretched where the apple 

and pear 
Trees were all in bloom, and the troublesome bees 
Made marks on the clothes strung under the trees. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 19 

A beam on the house held an iron ring; 

A post on the slope would be just the thing. 

I borrowed an axe and went down to the brook. 

And cut from a tree in a sheltered nook 

A sometime sapling, straight and tall, — 

I wanted one like it or none at all. 

I trimmed off its branches, and cut its top, 

And whetted its base with many a chop; 

Then dragged it away to my home on the hill — 

The deed was done and I had my will. 

Tall and strong I placed it there. 

Straight as an arrow, slender and bare. 

So I planted that post both firm and strong 

And tied on the clothesline white and long. 

My early washing the rising sun 

Beheld as it showed the task well done; 

And the last things it saw as it sank in the West 

Were the gleaming garments looking their best. 

When Summer was nearly over and gone 
I saw on the clothespost my hands had won 
Some tiny leaves of the willow kind. 
Sprouting and growing; but to my mind 
A clothespost is never a clothespost at all 
If not unadorned, and bare, and tall. 



20 "FOREST ECHOES" 

So I trimmed them off where my hands could 

reach, 
For the clothes must soften and dry and bleach; 
But somehow or other I saw not the top, 
For I am inclined to look down, not up. 
And hundreds of twigs held my puzzled gaze 
As it one day strayed to the clothespost's face. 

It seemed to challenge my common sense 
As I leaned, perplexed, on the garden fence. 
"You seemed to think your task well done 
When you shaved off my branches one by one!" 
That indignant clothespost seemed to say. 
While the clothes in approval would nod and sway. 

"But you could not cheat Nature! — Look at my 

crown! 
The handsomest one that ever was grown ! 
You thought you secured a clothespost bare — 
Behold a willow, tall and fair! 
Your cutting but made me handsomer still. 
If you doubt my word just wait until 

A fev/ years from now, when my cooling shade 
Shall shame the clothespost your hands have 

made. 
And you know this truth, without a doubt, 



"FOREST ECHOES" 21 

What is in your nature is bound to come out. 
Nor cutting nor pealing by sharpened blade 
Can here repress what God hath made." 

o 
MY GARDEN 



I had a garden — I thought it fair; 
Some choice blossoms were growing there. 
The soil was mellow and well prepared, — 
That plants were watered full well I cared. 
No other garden was just like mine, 
No other blossoms I thought as fine. 

To dig, and hoe, and to plant the seeds. 
To tend, and water, and pluck the weeds. 
My hands v/ere busy: my days went by 
Like white-winged clouds in a summer sky. 
No other garden was fair as mine, — 
No other flowers I thought as fine. 

One plant I choose among all the rest 
To tend and water and love the best. 
How nice it looked, and how well it giew! 
The breeze its playmate, its friend the dew ! 
The prickly leaves but a mark I thought 
Of finer art than the common lot. 



22 "FOREST ECHOES" 

At last it opened. What did I find? 
Only a thistle, — the common kind! 
Beyond the fence, and without my art, 
Grew another blossom, its counterpart; 
Its clawlike petals as dull a red, — 
As prickly clad was its bulky head. 

My thoughts turned inward from plant and tool ; 
This of my garden — What of my soul? 
Are thistles growing where unaware 
They steal my time and my thought and care? 
Shall I. at last, from a cherished seed 
Pluck but a thistle, — a common weed? 



o 



SPRING SONG 



When swallow and bluejay and robin appear 
Where the snowflake has reigned supreme, 

And the note of the songsparrow brings to your 

ear 
The lay of which Spring is the theme, — 

The blood in your veins rushes madly along, 

Your spirits mount higher, — you work with a song 
Whose theme is The Beautiful Spring. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 23 

When the twig is a-swelling, and blossom from bud 

Is transformed by some power we know; 
And the snows from the hillsides swell brooklets 

that flood 
In silence the valley below j 
Then joy bursts with recklessness all things that 

bind; 
The spirit of joy, there is no other kind. 
Is the spirit of Beautiful Spring. 



o 



WHEN SPRINGTIME RETURNS 



When Springtime returns. 

And the dark days of Winter are things of the 

past, 
Each day is more fragrant and bright than the 

last, 
For something beyond all each living thing 

yearns 
When Springtime returns. 

When Springtime returns 
The blasts from the North come with lessening 

speed, 



24 "FOREST ECHOES" 

The snowdrifts grow smaller and smaller — 

indeed — 
Jack Frost will not meddle with our poor con- 
cerns 
When Springtime returns. 

When Springtime returns — 

The twitter of swallow, the humming of bee, 
The brightness and beauty of all things we see 
But add, on life's altar, to incense that burns 
When Springtime returns. 

When Springtime returns 

We know and we feel that each quivering thing 
Like the thoughts of our innermost being yet 

spring 
From the Source for which everything living 

but yearns 
When Springtime returns. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 26 

MY COMPANION 



I know her well, or I think I do, — 
She is a creature of moods. 
She has no beauty at all 'tis true. 
And not much of earthly goods. 

At times her aspect is stem and cold. 
At others serene or gay; 
But I know her heart is a heart of gold. 
And naught may lead it astray. 

I like her best in her gentle mood, — 
'Tis very seldom she is! 
She nods approval when I am good. 
And frowns when things are amiss. 

Her presence ever I may not flee. 
She follows me faithfully. 
She's with, and near me, will always be 
Thro time and eternity. 

I saw her last in the looking glass 
Over the mantel shelf; 
She nodded pleasantly then. This lass 
You may have guessed is — Myself. 



26 "FOREST ECHOES" 

And since her presence I may not flee 
In time or eternity. — 
God, keep her ever in touch with Thee, 
And guide her most tenderly. 



ON THE COMING OF THE 
AEROPLANE 



We watched in awe from the steamer's deck 
The aeroplane that, a tiny speck, 
Hawklike circled and soared. 
Then another, and then a third 
Appeared in turn, each a blackwinged bird. 
To eager watchers on board. 



It skimmed, it dipped, it rose up high. 

It laughed at the powers of earth and sky 

Till the sky in its wrath turned gray. 

Twas the eagle let loose from the nation's shield 

Soaring wide and free o'er Atlantic's field 

That windy September day! 



"FOREST ECHOES" 27 

Then Fancy soared over that aeroplane 

And saw, in visions, an endless chain 

Of results undreamed of before; 

How that blackwinged being just then let loose, 

That played with the wind and gracefully rose. 

Might add to the mighty store 

Of human knowledge, wealth, and fame. 
Of human eiTor, and human shame. 
And upset every law of man; 
It saw the tyrant shake on his throne. 
The light gleam over the darkest zone. 
And a wonderful era begun. 

God stores His treasures in mighty vaults, 

And when human progress in helplessness halts 

Sends some one to find the key; 

Some one with powerful heart and mind. — 

One who has fitted himself to find 

That wonderful hidden key. 

Then when men are fit to receive 

That stored up treasure. He stoops to give 

The wealth of that opened vault. 

Each human being may have a share, 

But — use them rightly, or else beware! 

The Giver is not at fault. 



28 "FOREST ECHOES" 



PRAYER ANSWERED 



"Give me the weapons, dear Master, "I cried, 
"To fight the enemy here at my side!" 

"Trust your own weapons, your faith and your 

will! 
You have used them before, you may use them 

still!" 

"My faith is feeble, my will is weak! 
Other weapons with Thee I seek!" 

"What? Your faith feeble! You call on me! 
What may the plan of your campaign be?" 

"Just to see Thee, dear Master, give grace, — 
For I can see naught but my enemy's face!" 

"Behold! Your weapons are close at hand; 
And the hosts of Heaven at your command." 

"And whether you won't an' whether you will 
The hosts of Heaven attend you still." 



"FOREST ECHOES" 29 

I fought my battle, and conquered at length. 
And found my weakness had brought me strength. 

I learned this lesson while under the rod: — 
To trust my weakness when it points to God. 

o 
THINE OWN 



The deeds thou doest 

Others do; 
The facts thou knowest 

Others know. 

The thoughts thou thinkest 

Others think; 
In deeps thou sinkest 

Others sink. 

The tears thou weepest 

Others weep; 
Things thou reapest 

Others reap. 

The life thou leadest 

Others lead; 
Poor thou feedest 

Others feed. 



30 "FOREST ECHOES" 

But thy conception 
Of things that be 

Without exception 
Is part of thee. 

It lifts thee, or lowers, 
Blesses, or blames; 

Inspires thee or cowers. 
In vigors, or lames. 

None mayest know it. 
None may dare; 

Thou canst avow it. 
Let others beware ! 

o 
A SERMON 



A preacher stood under a smiling sky 

And preached from a wonderful text. 

But somehow or other it passed us by. 

And left us sadly perplexed. 

For he spoke of a terrible time to come. 

Of the fate of the wicked in heart; — 

Not a comforting word, or a thought to bring home 

To the one who was doing his part. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 81 

The man apparently thought he did well. 
But his words went wide of the mark. 
And why they did so no one could tell 
Of that listening crowd in the park. 
The Nazarene taught a different creed 
From such a babble and shout; 
He taught a text of service in deed, 
That all who needed found out. 



Some little comforting whisper we need 

To cheer on our earthly path. 

No thundering discourse of rite and creed- 

A gleam of Love, not Wrath. 

For He of the Hills of Gallilee, 

The manliest man on earth. 

Alike the pattern for you and me, 

Knew human need from His birth. 



Alike the pattern for woman and child. 

And the manliest man on earth 

In palace royal or jungle wild, 

Of noble or lowly birth. 

This Man of Sorrows our sorrow knows, 

Our burden, our pitiful fall; 

And over our shortcomings gently throws 

A something that righteth all. 



82 "FOREST ECHOES" 

A something of boundless and infinite love 

He throws about you and me. 

When most we need it, it comes from above; 

It does its work, and is gone; 

But it leaves behind it a trail of light, — 

A brooding, abiding peace, — 

And all we were called on before to fight 

We conquer and down with ease. 

GrO preacher! Learn of The Nazarene, — 

Then come and preach anew! 

But come back softly, with different mien. 

Be sure that you are true! 

For He of The Cross lived a different text 

From any you ever preached. 

His sermons will never leave any perplexed, 

Tho His level may never be reached. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 38 



YULE THOUGHTS 



Only a babe in a manger. 

Only a tuft of hay. 
Only an innocent stranger 

Asking for leave to stay. 

Darkness and gloom of ages 

Shattered by radiant light — 

Strange things foretold by sages. 
Power of love o'er might. 

Only a life of beauty; 

Only a death on The Cross. 
Love beams a holy duty. 

Death mourns its final loss. 

List to the song of angels! 

It echoes the centuries thro. — 
That glorious song of angels 

Is sounding today for you! 

Gone is the power that darkens. 
Gone is the power of the sword ! 

Free to each one who hearkens 

The blessing of one little word 



34 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Christ. The babe of the manger 
Is here in the world today; 

Not as a helpless stranger 

Begging for place to stay. 

But as a gleaming Presence, 

The Glory and Light of The World. 

Of goodness and beauty the Essence 
His banner o'er all is unfurled! 



o 



AT YULE TIDE 



Glory to God! 

Does not every sinwrecked soul 
Join in this joyous refrain ! 
Shout it from pole to pole, — 

Sing it again and again! 

Peace on Earth! 

Was it ever achieved 

Except thro fire and sword? 
Christ taught, and we have believed 

It comes thro the Holy Word. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 85 

Good Will to Men! 

Did it ever send out 
Its rays to earth's uttermost parts? 
Did ever glad angels shout 

The song to our doubting hearts ? 

o 
A CONQUEST 



Some one came knocking at my door, 

I bade him enter in; 
I'd often seen his form before — 

I did not know 'twas Sin. 

His voice charmed. He strove to please 
My heart so light and free. 

His manners were so full of ease. 
That all looked well to me. 

He said adieu! — He came again 

To make a call on me. 
Alas! I never knew till then 

How pleasing Sin can be. 

His winning smile, his subtle grace, 

His gentle, manly tone 
Were all for me. His ardent gaze 

Was meant for me alone. 



86 "FOREST ECHOES" 

But I was firm. A hand did hold 
Me back, — I said him nay. 

But well I knew that suitor bold 
Would come again some day. 

He came again, and yet again; 

His wooing bolder grew. 
With reckless haste he pleaded when 

His words did not ring true. 

His voice grew hollow, — gone its ring. 
Its graceous, gentle charm. 

It called to mind some slimy thing 
Whose presence bodes but harm. 

Calmly I viewed his aspect when 
His wrath swept down on me. 

Alas, I never knew till then 
How hideous Sin can be! 

And now I view him with contempt, 
I know his treacherous heart; 

Such treachery I never dreamt 
Were of this world a part. 

He will come back. Sin always does, 

Tho in another guise. 
We know each conquest stengthens us. 

And makes us doubly wise. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 37 

So when Sin makes his ardent plea 
And tries our heart to win. 

We peep behind the mask and see 
How hideous is — Sin. 



o 



THE HUT IN THE WOODS 
WHERE THE CEDARS GROW 



The hut in the woods where the cedars grow 

Shelters a family of two; 

Just beside it stands another, 

In size and shape its very twin brother. 

Beyond it the bank is high and steep 

Where the river below is narrow and deep. 

Along the bank runs the railroad track 
Where the iron horse runs forth and back. 
The wife sings in one hut, and in the other 
The husband's friend his wife's own mother 
A song of the sweetest, purest kind. 
In spite of poverty's lurking grind. 



88 "FOREST ECHOES" 

She came from Evangeline's Land fullgrown. 
He, tall and fair, from Normandy's own; 
As finely mated, when seen together, 
As warmth and cold in fine March weather. 
And the little stranger about to come 
Will surely be happy in such a home. 

The pale little nurse who patiently waits 
Sees nothing to dread in poverty's straits. 
For on the stove sings the cheery kettle. 
And all rings true to her finer mettle; 
And well she knows that He overhead 
Looks down in love on that lowly bed. 

The night is radiant! The wintry blast 

Is rocking the shadows the cedars cast 

At Winter's ov/n hearth in its snowy cradle. 

Where the silvermoon with a silver ladle 

Is dipping the shallows from out of the gloom, 

And bringing the stranger nearer home. 

And, when at last after hours of pain, 
And at its height is that awful strain 
Of mother-terror, the stars are waiting. 
In silent wonder his fate debating 
Who entei's now. The die is cast, — 
The little stranger has come at last 



"FOREST ECHOES" 39 

Into a world where he has to stay, 

If Fate will let him, as best he may; 

And the hut in the woods beside its brother 

Shelters a radiantly happy mother. 

Who hopes in her heart that the boy at her breast 

Will prove, like his father, of Normandy's best. 

o 
THE CALL 



The moon rose early, the woods were dark; 
Shadows played hide and seek out in the park. 
The flowers gently bent down to sleep. 
The nightwind softly laid down to weep; 
And save for the sound of a tinkling rill 
All was hushed, and all was still. 

Then Fancy, tied by the daylight down. 

Rode on the moonbeams up and down. 

It peopled the forest, the hill, and the dell. 

The silvery lake, the river, the well. 

It built a bridge, — it vanished soon, — 

From the top of the pine to the edge of the moon. 

From the silvery mist where these fairies played 
The sound of the rill so softly strayed 



40 "FOREST ECHOES" 

When thro the night came a distant call 

To rouse to wonder, then to appall. 

It seemed to come, in its maddening tone, 

F>om the top of the pine just under the moon. 

'T^vas like no other I ever heard! 
Its dreary sadness my being stirred. 
A weary sadness that sound revealed, — 
A mocking madness that sound concealed. 
Tlifi fairies hied on the mists away. 
Rudely expelled from Fancy's sway. 

Anothei' call, and another came, — 

Did some one, I wonder, call my name? 

As weird, as strangely as before, — 

I hurried inside, and shut the door. 

Again it came! — *Twas the call of a loon 

That trailed its mate by the light of the moon. 



'FOREST ECHOES" 41 



REGRETS 



The silver sheen among the green. 
The blueness of the pond. 
Within the wooded emerald 
The yellow fields beyond. 
And over all the wide expanse 
Of palest whiteflecked blue, 
Creep in with beauty to enhance 
A winsome summer view. 

The golden shield of harvest yield 
Is whitely coming on 
As, full and clear, the harvest moon 
Proclaims the Summer gone. 
We linger on in summer dreams 
Till comes the hunter's moon, — 
Then just beyond whose palest beams 
The snows come all too soon. 



42 "FOREST ECHOES" 

SOMEBODY'S HOME 



Down in the field where strawberries grow 
A little gray bird hovers to and fro; 
Sometimes he warbles his cheeriest lay, 
Then oft, with a twitter, he's darting away. 
But whether he's resting or yet on the wing, 
The one thing he does do, and that is — sing. 

One morning last week I was treading my way 

'Mid the strawberry tufts where the berries lay 

Ripe and inviting, half hurried in moss; 

I started to gather them, i-eaching across 

A bunch of dry grasses where clover blooms grew, 

Fragrant, luxuriant, sprinkled with dew, 

When up from the grasses in wildest alarm 
Darted the mother-bird, thinking that harm 
Would surely befall the dear little nest 
Where four little birdlets were sweetly at rest. 
The grasses I parted with careful hand. 
And four little throats were about to expand 

When hither and thither the mother-bird flew 
Sounding a plaintive "Don't meddle, don't you 
Dare touch, dare handle my darlings I say — 
Go take all the berries then get thee away!" 



"FOREST ECHOES" 43 

The words were not plain, but the meaning was 

clear, 
And the poor little gray-bird was quaking with 

fear. 

Only a birdsnest! Yet somebody's home 
Where some one was waiting for some one to come 
In from the outside with something to eat — 
In from the outside someone to meet. 
Something to get, and something to share 
With one who was waiting, and knew how to care. 

Somebody's home ! — When the birdlets have flown, 
And brambles and weeds o'er the nest have grown 
Time tempers its speed when it dwells on the rest, 
The comfort and peace of a last years nest 
That was somebody's home. Tho humble and small 
To six little birds it was home after all. 



44 "FOREST ECHOES" 



CLAMOR FOR FOOD 



Sounds come to us from this and that, 
Longings of souls for they know not what; 

They come in the night. 

They come in the day; 

From things in sight 

And far away — 
And ever their burden thro this or that 
Is: — "Something we long for, we know not what! 



Something to hold us stronger than life. 
God, we are weary of sin and strife! 

Give us that something. 

We know not what; 

That wonderful something — 

God is it that? 
Love everlasting, pure and dear — 
God, let us feed on it while we are here!" 



"FOREST ECHOES" 45 



YOU 



List to the story I tell you dear: — 
While others are either too far or near 
You alone are my darling true — 
Girlie, I love you, and only you! 
Others are either too near or too far — 
You are my lily, my rose, and my star. 

Lily and Rose and Star in one, 

You, my dearly beloved One, 

Appeal to my heart with your fragrance sweet 

Then hasten away on alluring feet. 

Lily and Rose and Star in one 

You daintily touch me and then you are gone. 

Gone to appear in a different way 
To charm and delight with a newer lay. 
Darling, I love to breathe your name. 
Varying ever and yet the same; — 
Same sweet fragrance, same sweet lay, — 
Darling, I cannot stay away! 



46 "FOREST ECHOES" 



SAILING 



We are at sea 
In a boat of Love, made for you and me: 
Sailing thro space in our boat of Love 
As dear and bright as the skies above. 
You are its captain, I am your mate 
As we sail along in our Ship of State. 

We are not alone on this Royal trip, 
Others are watching our staunch craft dip. 
There is one at the helm and one astern 
As we sail along and Love's secret learn! 
Others are tending with willing hands 
Our bright gleaming beacons in Other Lands. 
Love is our lifeboat tho deluges fall; 
Love is our Haven, and Love is our All. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 47 



JOY SUPREME 

In modest garb so shyly it descends 
And to all lesser things its glory lends; 
Love lends it beauty, Virtue lends it bliss. 
The key it yields to is the lover's kiss. 

But if that key does not fit virtue's door 
The joy spreme will enter nevermore; 
The fleeting vision, real tho it be. 
Must be from aught but tenderness set free. 

For tenderness the essence is of Love — 
Grieve not the spirit of that gentle dove ! 
Go tend it well. Unless you turn away 
From things less pure it cannot hold its sway. 

This tender flame within the lover's heart, 
If kept alive by loving virtue's art. 
Will on this earth your very Heaven be 
And lend its glory to Eternity. 



48 "FOREST ECHOES" 

JOY 



Joy is tender and priceless thing 

That comes into being as orbits swing. 

Swing and touch and blend and grow 
In all loving natures here below. 

They join on Earth and upward go 
Singing and swinging to and fro. 

Time and place are minor facts 

To these explorers of unknown tracts. 

Simply swinging and singing in flight 

As they soar over worlds intensively bright. 

Its essence is ever and ever the same 

But changes its form with each different name. 

As fleeting and dear as a poet's dream 
In a lover's world is Joy Supreme. 

All prevading and fully as sweet 
Is its successor — Joy Complete. 

For two loving natures tenderly meet 
And touch and blend in Joy Complete. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 49 

And then they join in fullness of Time 
And grow into one in Joy Sublime. 

They bloom and blend, and in fullness of Time 
Find their source in Love Sublime. 

o 
TWIN STARS 



Circling within each other's sphere, 

Never too far, and never too near 

Each to the other's guiding star. 

Each to the other is dearer by far 

Than aught else beside. In alluring light 

Each glitters and gleams in its shimmering white. 

Twin Stars indeed! All other things may 

Bloom in their fragrance and wither away. 

We to each other are All in All; 

Hark to our Good-inspiring call! 

All in the place that saw our birth, — 

All in Heaven and All on Earth. 

Twin Stars we swing in our orbits free; 
Swing in our rhythmic melody. 
Swing and sing, and sing and swing 
Like Dovelets of Peace on radiant wing! 
Ever we swing in our shimmering sphere — 
Never too far and never too near. 



50 "FOREST ECHOES" 



ALL IN ALL 



"All in All" is our own sweet song, 
And we keep singing it all day long. 
Oh, if you knew how sweetly true 
Is this little melody! Oh, if you knew — 
"All in All" how Godly a theme. 
Parents Divine of Joy Supreme! 



"All in All" shall yet be our song 

When we no longer are young and strong. 

"All in All" will still be our lay 

As chaff grows lighter and whirls away 

From kernels that stay on our threshing floor 

And Love is entwining our cottage door. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 51 



DAYS 



They come one by one, a splendid array 
Of beautiful things on their golden wings. 
They cover with glory, but will not stay. 
Nor rest on their wings — these wonderful things 

Who must not tarry 

For all they carry 
God's blessings to us in a golden chain. 
They appear, they aie here, and are gone again. 



We hail ye swift moving train of Days 
That come and are gone just one by one! 
For the one who works, and waits, and prays 
Just one by one they come and are gone. 

For those who in sorrow 

Dread each tomorrow 
They point to the Resurection Morn — 
Life Everlasting, newly born! 



52 "FOREST ECHOES" 



BECAUSE OF YOU! 



Because of you the friendly skies are bluer. 
The sunbeams show a purer golden tinge; 

Because of you each friendly eye seems truer. 
And each dear cloud now has a brighter fringe. 
And each dear friend seems doubly true 
Because of you! — 

Because of you each man I deem a brother. 
And view his failings in a kinder light. 

And the command to love all one another 
Because of you seems easy, just, and right! 
Life seems a gift so sweet and new 
Because of you! — 

Because of you I hold Love's fetters dearer. 
And hail with joj^ each pleasing golden link; 

Because of you each cherished hope looms clearer 
For from the tho't of you all shadows shrink. 
All common things in hallowed light I view 
Because of you! — 



"FOREST ECHOES" 63 



CHAMELEONS 



Resting chameleon on your breast 
Reflects the color in which you are dressed ; 
And fully as often reflects the hue 
Of that other chameleon which is — you. 

The other chameleon on your cheek 
Reveals a spirit bold or meek; 
But most that eye of brown or blue 
Reflects a soul both brave and true. 

So, likewise, our dearly loved Earth 
With mountain and valley and sea begirth 
Reflects, in glory of sky and sod, 
That other Chameleon we call God. 



54 "FOREST ECHOES" 



A PROCESS 



A diamond bright fell to earth one night, 
And was hid in the dust away. 
To the dark of night and the sun's bright light 
It was lost 'mid things that decay. 

What with mire and dust, and an iron crust. 
And the crush of a mighty heel, 
'Mid the things that rust, and the things of dust 
It was cased as in coat of steel. 

And the bloom and slime of a sunny clime 
With rose and briar and tare. 
And the crust of time with its shame and crime, 
And the lure of each hidden snare 

Grew o'er and about with the mighty shout 
Of helpless ones oppressed; 
And things of doubt, and things found out. 
And the weeping of all distressed. 

But the Hand of God with an iron rod 
And a lapidary's skill 
Probed out of the sod the unsightly clod. 
And fashioned it to His will. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 55 

He struck at the fears, and doubts, and tears. 
And laid the diamond bare. 
Till the crust of fears, and the rust of years 
Gave place to a beauty rare. 

That lapidary so keen and wary 
Saw the spoiling of priceless tools! 
Was never weary thro labors dreary, — 
Showed the skill of a thousand schools. 

Saw that diamond brighten, and glisten, and 

lighten 
With a glowing, a living fire; 
Saw it glisten and lighten, and glimmer and 

whiten — 
The thing that was once in the mire. 

Till the fire seemed to start from its very heart 
In numberless glittering stars. 
From Nature's heart by that touch of art 
Shone a beauty that nothing mars. 

Friend — you and I, and the passer by 
Are diamonds from above. 
Shall The Master try thro that shell to pry 
With His tools of Infinite Love? 



56 "FOREST ECHOES" 



MOTORING 



Heart of my heart! — Life of my life! 
Dearer than all, my own sweet wife! 
Always and ever this song rings true: — 
Sweetheart, wife, my world is you! 
And He who guided our steering gear 
Will guide the larger one, never fear! 
All trusting souls will see this light — 
Our Father steers, and always right. 
He will guard each rod and bolt and chain. 
And guide us in safety out on the plain. 



Do you remember the day we went 

Speeding away, and the time we spent 

Motoring over unknown hills. 

Valleys and plains? — My own heart thrills 

When I think of the danger to you and me. 

Our darling boy and the other three. 

Never day was fairer than this! 

Birds were singing of perfect bliss. 

Flov/ers were blooming and scenting their best, 

And we were as happy as all the rest. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 57 

Only ourselves will know it so. 
Our journey and danger is past you know. 
Our Heavenly Father a Hand did lend 
To guide our auto, and not to send 
All of its passengers, you and me, 
Over the precipice. — Don't you see! 
Homeward we sped, and homev/ard bound 
We came to our harbor safe and sound. 
And He who guided our journey then 
Will lovingly lead us on again. 

We must remember we are not alone 
Speeding along over dangerous stone. 
Over our own lives He is holding His Hand, 
Be it on Ocean, in Air, or on Land. 
Speeding along over dangerous height, 
Or over boulevard flooded with light. 
Forth over open or dangerous roads 
Speed other autos with precious loads. 
Love is the Auto and Chauffeur combined, — 
Love is the Motive, and Love is the Mind. 



58 "FOREST ECHOES" 



THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE 



Grim, silent, lone, beside the road 
The ragged beggar stands! 

The busy feet that round him trod. 
The grimy little hands 

That marred the desks, the seats, the walls, 

In perfect childhood bliss 
Have donned the common overalls 

Of life such as it is. 

It stood securely. But of late 

The wind's corroding blast 

Has burned the effigy of State, 
Tho in a furnace cast. 

The after glow, the after math, 

In sunset's rosy hue 
Is weaving garments out of cloth 

That cannot be but true. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 59 



HOME 

Things of Labor cheered by love. 
Angel wings in worlds above. 
Such as, found in common things. 
Lift us upward as she sings. 

Songs are our Eternal food. 
Measured by each daily mood 
Of Earth's lovely, simple song 
As we live, and work, and long 

For a sweeter final rest 
On a loving Saviour's breast. 
Taste, and drink, and live at last — 
All things else are of the Past. 



60 "FOREST ECHOES" 



ETHER WAVES 



We are waiting till Earth shadows 
Are a little lowered down; 

And are longing for Love shadows 
To have finer, dearer grown. 

Ether waves are arcs of Lifelights 

Pendant from Love's perfect crown. 

Only One may swing our Headlight 
As we lower others down. 

We are sailing toward life's Ocean 
In a bark or swift canoe! 

Other crafts as quick of motion 
Glide as swiftly as we do. 

One as silently is watching 

For Love's ever lighted Dome! 

And is sweetly, softly waiting 
For a beacon nearer Home. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 61 

THE STUBBLE FIELD 



Down in a hollow near the road was once a stub- 
ble field; 

It was a sickly, useless plot that would no har- 
vest yield. 

But just below it ran a brook from which its 
moisture came. 

And sun and sky, and wind and rain smiled on it 
just the same 

As on the other fields about, on woods and mead- 
ows fair; — 

The little plot took heart and sent its leaflets to 
the air. 

It sent its tiny, slender roots deep down into the 
soil 

With slow persistency and care, and steady, con- 
stant toil. 

A calm September day when all the other fields 

were dry 
In golden glory of its own this field smiled at the 

sky; 
It smiled and bloomed, — its beauty crept into its 

every part! 
It bloomed like The Redeemer's love within The 

Songster's heart. 



62 "FOREST ECHOES" 

'Twas not a sudden growth ; it came about by slow 
degrees, — 

The transformation of this plot, that had no pow- 
er to please 

When other fragrant things could spread their 
bloom to Summer air. 

But had to wait for Golden Rod to leave its glory- 
there. 

But He who knows the real worth of all His grow- 
ing things, — 

The boundless joy that grows within when song- 
sters try their wings. 

And knows indeed the growing joy of souls let 
loose from Sin — 

He knew the struggles of that field, — and knew 
the field would win. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 63 



BROTHERHOOD 



At the end of the road is a queer little hut. 

And it shelters a queer little man ! 
Its timbers are rotten, and rickety, but 
Tis the man's very own and is all he has got, 
Aside from a cheeriness others have not — 
This dear little, queer little man! 



He used to be up at the first streak of dawn 

This cheerily queer little man! 
Was tending the chickens, the pigs and the fawn, 
Was weeding the garden, and mowing the lawn, 
Was whetting his muscle, his wit, and his brawn. 

This busily queer little man. 



He slaved for his betters, if betters they be 

Of this dear little, queer little man! 
Who used up his mettle, his wit, and his brawn, 
And compelled him to sugar his wit, and to fawn 
When aching in body while mowing the lawn, — 
This dear little, queer little man. 



64 "FOREST ECHOES" 

For almost as little as nothing a year — 
This dear little, queer little man, — 
But spite of it all he has nothing to fear, 
For kind friends about find this httle man dear,- 
What little he needs he always finds near. 
This dear little, queer little man. 



And up in the Manor another one stays, 
A quarrelsome, drear little man, — 
Who owns all the acres, and pastures, and drays, 
A stable of horses, both dapples and bays, 
And sourest of tempers of wit and of face, — 
This horribly queer little man. 



Which one was the master in earlier years 

Of these two little, queer little men? 
It wasn't the one who is now without fears, 
Vexation of spirit, tho burdened by years — 
Which is now the happier think you, my dears, 
Of these two little, queer little men? 



'FOREST ECHOES" 65 



SHOWERS 



Friend ! Have you thought of the wealth and power 

That come to us in one single shower? 

Showers of blessings the Spirit brings, — 

Of showers of verdure the brooklet sings; 

And thro a shower of any sort 

The Earth is fitted for toil and sport. 



How fresh and fragrant a thunder shower 

Leaves hill and valley and nook and bower! 

Hov/ calm the spirit after a rain 

Of thoughts, God given, that clear the brain! 

And thro a shower of any sort 

We find God's blessings in toil, and sport. 



There's nothing like such a blessed shower! 
It leaves its treasures in well and tower. 
It leaves its blessings at every door; 
It leaves its gifts with the rich and poor. 
We feel the touch of the Sender's heart — 
And — feel ourselves of the Whole a part! 



'FOREST ECHOES" 



"COLUMBIA," GO 
SHEATHE YOUR SWORD! 



Columbia! Go sheathe your sword. — You are no 

mother ! 
Your boasted sons are not your own! You are 

another 
Than now you dream! You are not torn 
By mother-love for sons you've never borne! 



Columbia! Go sheathe your sword, and be a 

mother ! 
Don't let the soaring Eagle be the Scarab's 

brother ! 
You are another than you dream! Your present 

woe is due 
To callousness ! Columbia, you are NOT TRUE ! ! 



"FOREST ECHOES" 67 

THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM 



When heralded Democracy, 
With borrowed autocracy, 
That only rightly, reverently, sits 
Upon a brow that is of Knighthood's own, 
Puts on a garb that only just befits 
The Despotism it has sworn to down — 
Then leaps The Eagle from its mountain fastness. 
And finds no rest upon the unknown vastness; 
But out from Freedom's soil it sadly flies, 
And, missing foothold, it as sadly — dies. 

o 
IN THE LIMELIGHT 



We raise at Freedom's Altars 

A sordid boomerang, 

And him who nobly falters 

We give a term of slang. 

We hate the life He gave us 

Who upholds Freedom's Plan, 

And isn't just a Juggernaut, 

Nor yet a Peter Pan. 

Just let The Eagle spread his wings 

O'er fair United States, 

And leave to Europe's queens and kings 

Their own sweet, simple fates! 



68 "FOREST ECHOES" 



AS IT IS 



What one man does for the love of pelf 
Another one does to better himself; 
Each follows the Law of Time and Place 
And others step into those others' space. 
All may reap sheaves from the generous soil 
Where the first one started his arduous toil. 
Love levels all at the final test 
If each one, in earnestness, does his best. 

o 
COLUMBUS 



He had no friends, he had no gold. 
He was weary and sad and worn; 
But he proved himself the helmsman bold 
Who early that October morn 



Peered over the western wave to find 
A beautiful, wonderful land! 
A land where body and heart and mind 
May work in a harmony grand. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 69 

In harmony with themselves and God, 
And with each other as well; 
A land where the wonders of the sod 
Their wonderful stories tell. 

The prow that cleaved the sullen wave 
Cleaved mightier oceans still 
Than the one that fondles the hero's grave, 
In the realms of mind and will. 

Look down thio the ages ! — Look deep and long, 

And see what patriots see ! 

Where do you find, in story or song, 

A hero as noble as he? 

Then hail to Columbus! the beggar of old. 
The friendless, the hungry, the sad! 
Hail to Columbus, the hero bold. 
Whose valor today makes us glad! 



70 "FOREST ECHOES" 

A TRIBUTE TO ROOSEVELT 



Sadly the winds on Sagamore Hill 
Hunt for the form that now is still. 
Elm and laurel at Oyster Bay 
Whisper softly, — "He is gone away." 
Press and poet, scholar and sage 
Laud the foremost man of the Age. 

As one of the many of one of the few 
He was the foremost, strong and true; 
Strong for the principles he saw bom, 
By flimsy opponents laughed to scorn. 
Foremost American ! Foremost man ! 
Friend of the masses, friend of the man. 

Gone is the hero ! Drained is the cup ! 
Gone is the leader — higher up! 
Earthly care and earthly storm 
Can now not bend that sturdy form. 
Ever courageous, tried and true, 
Theodore Roosevelt, we honor you! 

And winds that blow on Sagamore Hill 
Must hunt in vain for the form now still. 
The ones he loved at Oyster Bay 
Must know in the silence that he is away. 
And the world must hunt for another man 
To fill his place in the work — if he can. 



'FOREST ECHOES" 71 



BE TRUE! 



Some one is calling! Who can it be? 
It isn't you and it isn't me. 
Whom do you think this stranger is? 
Harbinger either of woe or bliss. 

He hides in sadness, he hides in joy. 
And beckons alike to girl and boy. 
He hides in music, work and play, 
And every one must say him nay. 

He hides in beauty of earth and sky, 
But then only when we pass it by; 
He lurks in the extreme end of joy 
That may come to either girl or boy. 

His favorite haunt is the dancing hall, 
But he shuns the open in bat and ball; 
He loves the simpering, slimy slide. 
And the doubtful bliss of the moonlight ride. 

And we, to be true, must have this imbued 
That life, in its fulness, is Nature subdued. 
A life may be boysterous, shallow, and free 
That isn't for you and isn't for me. 



72 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Then whom do you think this stranger may be 
That must not be you, and must not be me? 
We call him Tempter, and he is true, 
But so must we be, I and you. 

He V'inds himself into all about, 
And of his power there is no doubt; 
Then shun his presence, girl or boy. 
That lurks in the extreme end of joy. 

And if we two are strictly true 
He won't find me, and he won't find you! 
And let him alone, whoever he be, 
That isn't you and isn't me. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 73 

MAY THIRTIETH 



Blossoms modest, gorgeous and gay. 

Blossoms of every hue. 
Give of your best for the Thirtieth of May, 

For heroes noble and true! 

Give of your fragrance, your color, your life, 

Give of your beauty ALL ! 
Give to the men of that fearful strife 

Who came at their country's call. 

The men of song and story. 

The men of fire and sword 
Who, tho they sought no glory. 

We honor in deed and word. 

Rests in vale and hillside 

All over this fair land of ours 

The heroes, to which with loving pride 
We bring our choicest flowers. 

But where find the phrase and the word 
For the glory of freeing a race? 

After all its proudest record 

We read in the black man's face. 



74 "FOREST ECHOES" 

The face where a quick intelligence 
Shows the freedom of the soul, 

As with nerve and brain and mind and sense 
He strives for the white man's goal. 

For what if the skin be swarthy 
If the soul within be white! 

If he choose to be wise and worthy. 
If he choose to live in the light. 

He may rear on the solid foundation 

Our resting heroes laid 
A monument fitting the Nation, 

Whose hallowed ground we tread. 

So yield, ye blossoms, your fragrance and life, 

Give of your beauty all! 
Give, like the men of that fearful strife, 

Who came at their country's call. 

Let us give ourselves, as we give our flowers, 
To the cause for which they bled; 

These men, whom over this fair land of ours 
We pray for — Our honored dead. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 75 

A THANKSGIVING 



The woods of Plymouth, shorn of their glow, 
See dusky forms gliding to and fro. 
Each speeding arrow brings down its bird, 
Though through the forest no sound is heard 
Save when the wind — swayed branches meet. 
Or the woodland moss with moccasined feet. 

As the harvest moon grows full and bright. 
And the friendly dew turns to flakes of white. 
Thanks for the harvest, they all declare, 
Shall be a feast on whose bill of fare 
The Pilgrim housewife must show her skill 
And dusky guests grunt their good will. 

With golden squash and the turkeys brought 
By friendly redskins; the wild grapes, sought 
Among the briars in sunny glades 
By youths and maidens in pleasant raids; 
And flour from windmills across the seas 
The Pilgrim matron is at her ease. 

Now bright and clear dawns Thanksgiving Day 
And up the sun glides from out the spray; 
The feast is ready, and words of cheer 
Now greet the guests from afar and near. 



76 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Then heads are bowed and the blessing said. 
And all are ready to break the bread. 

The stately chief with his friendly braves 
Show all the courtesy their friendship craves 
And bring their share to the harvest feast — 
The white squaws see that each one is pleased. 
What matters it if the white man's God 
Or the Great Spirit the redskins laud 

Receive the thanks: — When thanks are given 
Some way or other they do reach Heaven, 
And find their way to the Maker's throne 
Whether from tundra or torrid zone — 
Whether you and I or the Eskimaux 
Are the ones to speed them ! — 'Tis God's own law. 

Ye who today give your tardy thanks 
Round groaning tables whose burden ranks 
Among the choicest that ever yet 
Left hand of chef, and whose cloths are set 
With aid of cutglass and silverware — 
Compare your own with this bill of fare: — 

Turkey, wild, that the redskins brought; 

Venison from the sunny lot 

Of land that borders the wooded hill 



"FOREST ECHOES" 77 

Where herds of deer roam about at will. 
Squash and onion, wild grape and nut, 
Served in the cabin or turf-clad hut 

On rough hewn planks. From the choice plate 
Brought in the Mayflower the redskins ate 
As guests of honor, the roasted meat 
They knew not whether to gulp or eat. 
The forest spring gave its very best 
And hearty goodwill made up the rest. 

o 
VOICES OF SUMMER 



One morning in April I hied me away 

To hear what the murmuring brook had to say, 

Beyond the grove where the tamaracks grow 

To the sweetsmelling forest far below, 

Where the voices of Winter, in Springtime bom, 

Like the thorn on the briar, seemed sadly forlorn. 

As I traveled these woodland paths again 
And listened to songsparrow, robin and wren 
I saw the gentle violet peep 
From where voices of Summer were lightly asleep. 
Since then I have traveled them o'er and o'er 
On many a morning, and sounded their lore. 



78 "FOREST ECHOES" 

With these voices of Summer as virile and free 
As Earth's own conundrum the hive of the bee; 
The white field daisy in glory dressed. 
And bluebell and buttercup looking their best 
No wonder I stopped, and listened, and heard 
These voices of Summer in flower and bird. 

Said the thistle aloud as he put on his hue, — 
"I think I look stylish now, don't you?" 
And the goldenrod in his hood of gold, — 
"I hope I am neither too loud nor too bold." 
While beyond the fence then chimed in the gorse. 
"I'm sure I am neither too bold nor too coarse!" 

Then chirruped the brazen whip-poor-will, — 

"When of their boasting you have had your fill 

Come here, and try to find my nest. 

As carefully hidden as all the rest 

Of your musical friends' in dells and dunes! 

Come, challenge our wits instead of our tunes." 

Sang the catbird too from the willow tree, — 
"We are wise to your practises now you see! 
We're eager and proud to show our nests, 
To love you, and tell you our modest requests!" 
But I knew these flatterers far too well. 
So I turned to inquire of the sweet bluebell 



"FOREST ECHOES" 79 

Why she, of them all, seemed the only one true 

To modesty, sweetness, and color of blue. 

Her answer in substance was somewhat like this : 

'1 think the keynote here you miss, — 

When you yourself are slightly awry 

Then so are the voices of earth and sky." 

o 
HOW THE BEAR WAS FELLED 



Across the seas in a leafy dell 

Stood a hut with a mossgrown roof; 

And there, with his wife, lived Korporal Fell, 
And his life-work was — to loaf. 

His wife was as quick as he was slow, 
But his was an active tongue. 

He was well enough as some folks go — 
As tired as the day was long. 

The hut had a poor excuse for a door. 
With a crooked nail for a lock; 

It wasn't bought in any store. 

And the steps were of natural rock. 

The hinges were rusty, and thin, and worn. 
By a century's use or more; — 

When a cinnamon bear walked in one morn 
He simply pushed in the door. 



80 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Then Korporal Fell, as quick as a flash, 
Crawled up thro the door to the loft, 

Drev/ up the ladder, and with a crash 
And bang the trapdoor dropped. 

But the wife who was left to face bruin alone 

Did not stop to argue or think; 
When she saw what the cowardly man had done 

She acted as quick as a wink. 

"How stupid you are! You always v.ere, — 
Run off, and leave Bruin alone!" 

Said Fell, but the old man's muskedeur 
Shattered Bruin, brain and bone. 

Stark on the floor the bear was laid 

By the gun in the good wife's hand, 

"Are you sure he is dead?" came from overhead, 
"Now pound with the other hand." 

Said he, as at last he begun to descend, — 
"Now wife! Didn't we do well?" 

And straightway he started for neighbor and 
That wonderful story to tell. [friend 

The latest version, as I am told, — 
He told it so much and so oft — 

Was that he killed the bear with stroke so bold, 
And she crawled into the loft. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 81 

LAKE MADAWASKA 



Come, listen to me, stranger! 
Did lucky wind e'er take 
You over Madawaska. 
Our pretty little lake? 
A pearl set round with emeralds, 
With sapphires in between — 
A cluster of forget-me-nots 
Embedded in the green. 

If you have seen it, stranger, 
Have seen the varying hue 
From amethyst to silver, 
And shading in to blue 
As on Lake Madawaska 
The sun sinks to the West, 
With lake and loon and wild duck 
All silently at rest, — 

Have seen the whitelimbed birches. 
And rested in their shade. 
Have roamed the virgin forest 
Or lingered in the glade 
You know why we delight in it, 
And why we think it grand 
For there isn't such another one 
In any other land. 



82 "FOREST ECHOES" 

For when you scan the forest 
While idling on the shore. 
And see the fawn come grazing 
Up to your very door, 
Or hear the loon a-calling 
Its mate to moon and star, 
And listen in the silence 
For the answer from afar, — 



Or hear the wild duck splashing 
Way in among the weeds. 
And see her flock of ducklings 
A-following where she leads 
Skim o'er the placid surface. 
Or dip into the deep 
Where a million little fishes 
Are lazily asleep, — 

Or see the trout a-playing 
With others in the brook, 
(you think while you are watching. 
That he's waiting for the hook) 
And see the nightly shadows 
O'er lake and forest creep, 
While a host of tiny wavelets 
Are lulling you to sleep. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 88 

You'll say there's naught as pretty- 
As this little lake of ours 
That nestles like a flower 
Where the fragrant cedar towers. 
Perhaps, had I my choice, 
Fd be a wary loon 
A-dipping into its waters. 
And a-calling to the moon. 



o 



WINTER SWAY 



When wintry imps in a glow come forth 
Like icyfingered throlls of The North, 
And shadows lengthen their sharper fringes. 
And health in ruddy complexion tinges. 
And winter sway, in its flight, imprints 
Its many colored hues and tints, — 

Then cradles Earth, like a tired child. 
Each weary creature of wooded wild; 
And flakes of ermine come down together. 
And wrestle glory from winterweather. 
When lake and brooklet are hid from sight 
Aroostook winter is at its height. 



84 "FOREST ECHOES" 

When Autumn stillness has fled in terror. 
And Autumn storms become Autumn's mirror, 
And Nature weaves, on a larger scale, 
Other garlands for hill and dale, — 
Then Winter, merciless oft in sway, 
Is held in check by each longer day. 

And Spring in fairylike form and feature 
Is lending glory to every creature. 
And cold and dreariness yield at last 
When Winter's reign is of the past; 
It yields its power of icy chain 
To sweeter music of sweeter strain. 



o 



SUMMER IN AROOSTOOK 



Golden light enfolding forest, lake, and vale. 
Let us go a-camping, weather will not fail! 
Camping is a pleasure when the trout is kind, — 
Time we may not measure, rain we do not mind. 

Fleecy cloudlet spraying, hasten on your way. 
You are only playing, — 'tis the month of May! 
We are not a-maying, you are out of tune; 
All things green are saying 'tis the month of June. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 85 

Verdant field and hillside beckon us to come. 
Blow away ye eastwind, hasten to your home. 
Tenting by the river, fishing in the brook. 
What can look so tempting as the things we cook? 

All along the highway speeding up the hill 
Go the autos humming, saucy Jack and Jill ; 
Speeding thro the forest, stately pine and fir 
Bend in silent homage to the busy whirr. 

Strawberries by the thousand ripen on the hill. 
There is shy Linnea dipping in the rill! 
Birds and bees are humming — We are making hay, 
We are never idle, mingle work with play! 

Summer in Aroostook with its countless joys 
For its men and women, for its girls and boys. 
Is the queen of seasons, is the best of all, — 
Better than the Springtime, brighter than the Fall. 



^6 "FOREST ECHOES" 



A TALE OF THE DELL 



When the sun hangs low 

If you will g-o 
Where Nature declares "All's well," 

And incline your ear 

Then you may hear 
With me this tale of the Dell: — 



In the midst of a bog 

An old bullfrog 
With his noisy musical crowd 

Were holding sway. 

And singing their lay, 
And their song was both loud and long. 



The lean scrub oak 
In his shabby cloak. 

With spruce and hemlock and fir, 
Decided to stay. 
In a venturesome way, 

This horribly unfriendly stir. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 87 

The dapper spruce 

Began to accuse 
The birch in her gown of white. 

Of a coarser caste. 

And a growing taste 
For the lay of the Summer night. 

"If we had been born 

With ears like the corn 
The bullfrog might croak himself ill ! 

But you must agree 

That ears such as we 
Have can not stand that horrible thrill." 

The bumble-bee 

Told the fleur-de-hs. 
And the lily the sweet blue-bell; 

The young bullfrog 

Told the polliwog. 
And the story spread thro the dell. 

There issued a call 

Thro the forest all. 
As voiced by the lean scruboak. 

That "Throughout the bright 

Sweet summer night 
The frog be forbidden to croak." 



88 "FOREST ECHOES" 

On the end of a log 

Sat the old bullfrog. 
Who was king of the croaking tribe; 

"Aha," said he 

When he heard the decree, 
"Just wait till I consult my wife!" 

At the door of his house 
Sat his worthy spouse 

As a leap and a thump and a thud 
Brought the bullfrog down. 
Minus scepter and crown, 

To his kingdom down in the mud. 

She soothed his fears, 
And dried his tears. 

And straightened his collar and tie; 
Then sent him away 
On that summer's day. 

Determined to do or die. 

Then to pine and oak 
With a mighty croak 

The bullfrog announced his decrees :- 
"That throughout each bright 
Sweet summer night 

I'll croak as much as I please." 



"FOREST ECHOES" 8» 

"And, furthermore. 

Near my palace door 
In my kingdom in the pond, 

I'll erect a stand 

To my noble band. 
For of music we all are so fond." 

"A stand so fine 

Of birch and pine. 
With panels of finest oak; 

If the weather be cold 

I may make so bold 
As to borrow the scruboak's cloak!" 

The oak thought best. 

And so did the rest. 
Let the bullfrog follow his bent; 

So each summer night. 

Whether dark or bright. 
He croaks to his heart's content. 

And peace once more 

Reigned as before 
Among the things of the dell; 

The frog jumped back 

To the door of his shack. 
The bee went back to his cell. 



90 "FOREST ECHOES" 

And each decree 

Of frog and tree. 
With its moral we'll put on the shelf; 

And let each sing his lay 

In his own sweet way, 
Tho it pleases none but — himself. 



o 



A MODEL INVASION 



About the time of the civil strife 

When the nation's honor, the nation's life 

And progress were all at stake, 
And this selfsame nation showed its worth 
In the fearful struggle 'twixt South and North, 

And the evils that followed its wake 

The question arose with the men of state, 
Those faithful few who early and late 

Had worked for the common good: — 
How can we turn to better use 
Maine's thousands of acres? How can we infuse 

Into its life and blood 



"FOREST ECHOES" 91 

An element strong enough to withstand 
Privations and hardships, that hand in hand 

Go to make a garden fair 
Of wooded wilderness, swamps and hills, 
Studded with lakes and rivers and rills. 

Yet of a fertility rare? 

For these men had tried but tried in vain 
To settle these unnumbered acres of Maine 

By various means and ways; 
Had offered farms to high and low, 
But few had wanted, or cared to go 

To such an unheard of place 

As our fair Aroostook then seemed to be. 
And those who ventured in some degree 

Soon gave it up in despair. 
No one could stand, they all declared, 
The cold of the winters, and no one dared 

To risk his own welfare 

In such a hopeless task as that: 
Try any other one thing than that 

Of settling the wilds of Maine! 
But something or other had to be done 
These statemen thought; and next time they won 

When they shouldered the burden again. 



92 "FOREST ECHOES" 

They had planned and schemed, by failure made 
Had tried new ways, and tried old, [bold, 

And none had stood the test 
Till Thomas, made bold by the failure of each, 
In a way of his own commenced to preach 

A theory that proved the best. 

He told them what he wanted. And when 
He told them he knew where to find the men 

That would serve the purpose in view 
He carried the day, tho at first he strained 
Each strategic nerve, and thus he gained 

The support of a faithful few. 

He labored early, he labored late 

For the welfare and growth of his noble state 

Till he saw his dreams fullfilled; 
Saw waving grain on fertile fields, 
In place of forests abundant yields 

To reward the ones who tilled 

These Madespreading clearings, where foot of mam 
But rarely, if ever, had trod, and the plan 

Of Nature had seemed to be 
For deer and woodchuck, and prowling bear 
To wield the sceptre forever there. 

Each master in some degree. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 98 

Beyond the Atlantic a freeborn race 
Had gained, and kept, an honored place 

Among the nations of earth; 
A blue eyed race, and stalwart as few. 
As strong and valiant, as loyal and true 

As any race on earth. 

For centuries they had tilled the soil. 
Won their laurels, and gained the spoil 

Of others who ventured to try 
To tests their worth on land or sea, — 
No viking was ever defeated — not he — 

He would win in battle or die. 

As "bonde" or viking each was free. 
One on land as the other on sea. 

Was no ones serf or slave; 
Whatever he did was by choice of will, — 
A true Scandinavian does so still, — 

Is daring and true and brave. 

'Tis true there were slaves, for each conquered 
Or nation, or people, were made to face [race. 

Their conquerers only as slaves; 
But such as had lives and rights of their own, 
And were not made to fear their master's frown, 

Or to dig their own longed for graves. 



94 "FOREST ECHOES" 

They worshiped their gods, Odin and Thor, 
Balder and Freja, and solemnly swore 

Never to die in peace; 
No! die in battle, by sword or spear, 
Or club, or fire, — all were taught to fear 

A deathbed of wealth and ease. 

The women were faithful, strong and true. 
Adored their husbands, their eyes of blue 

Looked closely to home and hearth; 
Adorned their homes, and reared a race 
Of future strugglers for freedom's grace 

In valor of simple worth. 

They dwelt in a land both rugged and bright. 
They held their revels by midnight light 

To the song of the nightingale; 
And also when light of twilight and dawn 
'Cross the slant of the noonday ray was drawn 

O'er mountain and hill and dale. 

Tho midwinter revels were fully as wild 
As summer revels were gentle and mild 

And the boar was an emblem fit. 
Yet hospitality there held sway. 
Each weary traveler had right of way 

When the birchwood fire was lit. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 95 

There as guest in the "hogbank" sat 
The honored traveler who told of what 

The outside world had done 
Since the latest departed guest was sped, 
Feted and honored, toasted and fed. 

As seasons had come and gone. 

In those days, when newspapers did not. as now, 
Tell all the world's doings an hour or two 

After each one occurs on the sphere 
The oldtime bard would chant the news, 
Of scenes of fighting, defeat and truce 

To melodies wierd and drear. 

Could he play the harp, did he handle well 
Its delicate strings while his song did tell 

Of deeds heroic and brave, 
His charmed listeners all night long 
Forgot to rest, the truthful song 

Was heard by knight and knave. 

While the fire on the hearth, kept roaring and 
By the serfs, was aided by flickering light [bright 

From torches made of pine 
In corners farthest away from the guest 
Each heard a little, and guessed at the rest, 

As he wrought each chip of pine. 



9« "FOREST ECHOES" 

Had a boar been felled the head would grace 
The table. In front of the guest was the place 

For that highly flavored dish; 
With finest bread that could be produced, 
On dishes of silver but rarely used. 

With fowl and game and fish. 

The lucky one who had killed the boar, 
If able to do so, would chant and score 

His success in verse and rhyme; 
Would sing of hov/ that boar was tracked. 
His sides were worried, his skull was cracked. 

With incidents at the time. 

The songs and chants to all most dear 
Were listened to only once a year 

When the Yuletide board was spread; 
Then wonderful sagas were chanted and sung 
By sweet voiced bards till the rafters rang, 

And pledges to Odin were said. 

Vows that would rank with heroes of old 
When fulfilled, as they must be, these pledgers 

For vows were sacredly kept; [bold. 

No matter what hardships they had to go through, 
What wounds were opened, what blood would flow. 

Or how much the women wept. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 97 

Such fine hospitality still is found 

In these northern countries. Each is bound 

By usage to treat as guest 
The friend or enemy under his roof. 
In saintly garb, or horn and hoof. 

Each must and shall have the best. 

The northern women wove the cloth. 
Fashioned the garments, and made the broth 

For husbands, brothers, and sons; 
They shared the burdens, eased the pain, 
Added their thrift to the others gain. 

And obeyed commands at once. 

The homelife was simple enough at best. 

As the mastei- and mistress did so did the lest 

Of the members and serfs as well; 
The whole community lived in peace. 
Each with the other at home and at ease 

Would barter and borrow and sell 

The product of either the smithy or field. 
Or others as usefully tendered yield 

Of forest or treasured store. 
The carving of wood was highly esteemed. 
And making of v»'eapons that brightly gleamed 

On rafter and sill and door. 



98 "FOREST ECHOES" 

The viking voyages, fierce and bold. 
Were the deadHest terrors in times of old 

To people of southern shores; 
The people of Italy, France and Spain 
Were raided and plundered time and again. 

And slain at their very doors. 

Their young men were captured, their women 

forced 
To become the wives of their capturers, — the 

worst 
Dreaded fate of these dark eyed ones 
vVho loved their native warmth and bloom. 
And dreaded the country of chill and gloom. 
And those faraway northern homes. 

But wherever these conquerers cared to stay 
They stayed as masters, they gained their way 

By means of fire and sword. 
A Normandy stands for today and all time 
For an oldtime invasion, its terror and crime. 

To a conquering savage horde. 

How strange a mixture of crime and worth 
And kindiest thought were these men of the 

Who worshiped Odin and Thor! [North 
Always sincere in each varying mood. 
As peaceful at home, as savage abroad, 

And loyal and true to the core. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 99 

Their laws were made by common consent 
By the will of the people, who yearly went 

To the seat of the Odal Ting. 
The chosen ruler, deposed or crowned 
By the will of the people, was duly bound 

To be one in that lawmaking ring. 

They fought, they wrestled, they handled the oar, 
They tested their courage by hunting the boar 

With fervor and zest and vim; 
They measured the depth of the steel they bought, 
They quaffed the mead in one great draught 

Fi'om the horn that was filled to the brim. 

Not a drop must be left in that gilded horn 
After that one draught. The finger of scorn 

Would be pointed at any man 
Who could not stand that manly test; 
Woe to the one who, tho doing his best. 

Had failed. He was placed under ban. 

When no longer worshiping Odin and Thor 
They were not as warlike as before 

And the creed of The Nazarene 
Had entered and conquered that northern race, 
As fair of heart as they were of face, 

And changed was bloody scene. 



100 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Instead of plunder, pillage and blood 
Came scenes of industry, thrift, and good 

Intent of high and low. 
Their one time pleasure in gruesome strife. 
Their love of warfare, their savage life 

Were doomed — they had to go. 

As the perfect blade of his battle axe 
Was carefully tempered, and how to relax 

His grasp of the mighty core 
Of the finegrained handle of choice wood 
As polished by use, was not understood 

By him till the battle was o'er — 

So the courage and faith of these Men of The 

North 
Were as carefully tem.pered. their sterling worth 

As tested and polished by use 
As that wellworn handle in oldtime fray — 
Was there need of relief he turned not away — 

To aid he could not refuse. 

Later these men who as vikings scoured 
The seas of Europe were wholly cowered 

And chained by the demon Drink, 
Who then as now chained valor and strength, 
Through each generation he gained at length, 

And lessened the power to think 



"FOREST ECHOES" 101 

Of once proud victims. Then some who had 

learned 
That the hfe of the hereafter could not be earned 

By fire and spear and sword 
Had come to acknowledge the beauty and worth 
Of the one who was Master of South and North, 

In the creed of The Risen Lord. 

Of men of this stamp there were not a few. 
As bold as the vikings, as loyal and true. 

Who fought in as fierce a fray. 
A man who can stand in any storm 
With a Christian's heart in a viking's form 

Wields as great a power today. 

Humbler followers of such men 

Spread over the kingdom time and again. 

And crossed to distant shores; 
They spread to the east, they spread to the west, 
For greater phases of labor and zest, 

And entered our nation's doors. 

Of just such temper and timber and grain 
Were the men who invaded the wilds of Maine 

Under Thomas July twentythird; 
The army that since, for many decades. 
Has hewed from impassable forest glades 

Where scarcely a man had trod 



102 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Such smiling fields of verdure clad soil, 
Worthier monuments to human toil 

Than many a polished shaft; 
Twixt where the fruitladen orchards rear 
Their glowing beauties far and near 

Are proofs of the skill and craft 

Of the men whom poverty never bent. 
Who in spirit of usurer's twelve per cent 

Paid when their notes vvere due. 
In this model invasion no one was robbed, 
No one slaughtered, no one mobbed. 

And all were loyal and true. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 108 

FOUR DECADES LATER 



In looking backward thro the years 
Made bright with hope, or dull with fears. 

Our hearts today are tender; 
As on these fragrant, fertile field, 
That promise now abundant yields 

Or winter's store to render 

We gaze. And see where strong hands traced. 
With stroke of axe where interlaced 

Dark branches, heaven's own azure. 
Or view these blossoms wet with dew. 
The tender leafllet's changing hue, — 

Each source of keenest pleasure. 

Our thoughts dwell tenderly today 
On that sad parting, far away, 

From homes and friends and mothers ; 
Tho lurked the dangers on the way. 
With strangers where they came to stay 

They found but friends and brothers. 

Of hardy Scandinavian race. 

Tall, blue eyed, strong, and fair of face. 

These men of his selection 
With Thomas tramped the rough hewn path 
To conquest. Never hero hath 

Conquered a fairer section! 



104 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Conquest of foes within, without. 
The covert sneer, the halfveiled doubt. 

Some discontented murmurs 
From members of his little band, 
Who oft forgot that faithful hand 

Could lead them only onward. 

He faced them all, with tongue and pen, 
And deed and cheer, thro seasons when 

All prophesied disaster. 
He faced these foes with generous grace; 
He bade them wait the time and place, 

And showed that he was master 

Of every situation. Where 

A hand was needed he was there, — 

One with them all in sorrow. 
The council by the cottage door 
He shared and led, and waited for 

A prosperous tomorrow. 

Behold it now! That morrow came 
With fair success, and well earned fame 

To each and every member. 
Tho forty years have passed away. 
We look thro misty years today. 

And naught but good remember. 



"FOREST ECHOES" IM 

And many words of praise and cheer 
Fell from his lips as, year by year. 

He watched New Sweden growing; 
And Father Thomas may today 
Be in our midst, or far away. 

His "children" watch his coming. 

How warm the welcome! How sincere 
The greeting! Gone was all the fear 

Each may have felt at starting. 
How good it tasted — meat and drink — 
And rest how welcome ! None could think 

Then of the pain of parting. 

Then one by one. round in these woods. 
With wife and child, and household goods 

The sturdy settlers scattered. 
And if the bread was wheat or rye. 
And dinner minus cake or pie 

Was served, it little mattered. 

For oh. the whole land of the town. 
With no restraint from king and crown. 

They held in proud possession! 
No Viking on the Ocean free 
Was e'er as proud of ship or sea 

As each in that procession 



106 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Who forty years ago today 
From o'er the water sailed away. 

With no fear of disaster; 
When first each man held in his hand 
The "deed" that made him of his land 

The undisputed master. 

The deed that showed, that to possess 
Some hundred acres, more or less. 

Was not a vain endeavor; 
That when translated, he would find 
That in it, these had been assigned 

Him and his heirs forever. 

Time passes. From that time to this 
Each has been trying, more or less. 

To make his "farm" resplendent. 
We all expect that soon we'll see 
Him tie his airship to a tree, 

That pioneer's descendant. 

Even now, — Why, neither horse nor steer. 
The pride and stay of yesteryear 

Suit farmers of this section! 
For why, indeed, should they be slow 
When e'en the very air will grow 

Tubers to perfection? 



"FOREST ECHOES" 107 

The iron horse has found a route, 
And touring- car and runabout. 

And motors without number, 
Where formerly not even a dog, 
And only sound of fovd and frog 

Disturbed the peaceful slumber 

Of each tired worker who, at night. 
As late returned from weary fight 

With giants of the clearing. 
Forgets the heat, the dust, the fight, 
The cinder, soot, mosquito bite. 

When he his camp is nearing. 

And we who later came to share 
Their hope, their fear, as well as care. 

Their work as well as leisure, 
With all New Sweden's girls and boys 
We mourn their sorrows, hail their joys 

In deepest, keenest measure. 

How dear to us each wrinkled face. 
Each tottering form, once full of grace. 

And health and strength and beauty! 
To us, the summons of today, 
Tho living near, or far away. 

Was not a call of duty. 



108 "FOREST ECHOES" 

How dear to us each hill and vale, 
Each crooked fence, each post and rail, 

The stumps, the rocks, the ditches! 
How dear each sheltered mossy nook, 
By quiet stream or murmuring brook, 

The forest's hidden riches! 

How dear the frolic of the frogs, 
The fireflies in the swamps and bogs. 

The hilltop's lengthening shadow! 
The partridges with tender broods, 
Linnea in the fragrant woods, 

The sweet scents from the meadow! 

How dear the changing autumn leaves. 
The swallows on the beams and eaves. 

The twitter of the sparrow! 
The redcheeked apple on the bough, 
Potato field or drifting snow, 

The marks of plow and harrow ! 

The founder of this settlement 
Sees here as proud a monument 

As ever graced a nation. 
All things combined will prove this true :— 
'He builded better than he knew.' 

On wide and deep foundation. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 109 

While still we love our Blue and Gold, 
The Stars and Stripes as dear we hold. 

And honor Dear Old Glory: 
And v/hile we hail Red, White and Blue, 
To Sweden's flag our song rings true, 

As famed in song and story. 

Why should we not ! The same blue dome 
That's o'er us here is o'er the home 

Of Sweden's sons and daughters. 
The same bright sun that here is seen 
Doth see itself reflected in 

Both Maine's and Svea's waters. 



o 



FIRST SETTLERS 



Where are they now, that little band, 
That once were straight and strong? 

Who cleared the soil and tilled the land. 
And feared but to do wrong. 

Who tilled with ceaseless toil the ground, 

And made the forest ring 
With songs of praise as well as sound 

Of axe's mighty swing. 



110 "FOREST ECHOES" 

From cheerful hearth to weary toil 
'Mid briar, rock, and root, 

These men went forth to make the soil 
Yield its abundant fruit. 

Gone are they all. Gone are the wives, 
Brave daughters of the North, 

Whose simple, kindly, quite lives 

Showed forth their priceless worth 

Whose busy hand the spinning wheel 
Kept humming all day long; 

By shingle pile the flashing steel 
Plied faster at their song. 

That shingle knife upon the wall. 
The stump upon the hill, 

But dimly to our minds recall 
The forms that now are still. 

The forms that, bent with care and toil. 
Where busy feet had trod, 

Gave up each body to the soil, 
Each spirit to its God. 

God rest them all, those heroes brave! 

Long may on History's page 
Their memory live, tho on each grave 

Is shown nor name nor age. 



'FOREST ECHOES" 111 



THE OLD HOUSE AND THE NEW 



The brand new house was grandly planned 
With pillars and posts galore; 
And baywindows many, and eye and hand 
Had wrought on panel and floor 
Full many a dainty design with care. 
And many a thought was embodied there 
With wonderful deftness and skill. 

The tumbledown dwelling at present used 
Seemed to look on with wondering eye, 
And to wait and watch as if half amused 
As the frame of the new rose high. 
And it seemed to say, in a queer sort of way, — 
"Now this is your turn, I've had my day, 
A long and a blessed one too!" 

"I've seen and heard such wonderful things 
Of each Hfe I've sheltered well! 
Some secrets I know, — What that songsparrow 
Only he and I can tell. [sings. 

For he sings with me of days that are gone. 
And he sings of what he and I alone 
Have seen and known for years." 



112 "FOREST ECHOES" 

"But he doesn't know of all that I know 
For he isn't as old or wise; 
And I could tell him a thing or two 
That would cause him a great sui-prise! 
Of people born, and people dead, — 
Tales of lives that have come and fled 
From between my rickety walls." 

"Many a heart ache, and many a joy, 
And many an unshed tear 
Of aged mother and fairhaired boy 
I've noted from year to year. 
Many a secret some maiden told — 
Secrets I would not reveal for gold. 
Or any wealth in the world!" 

"In one of my windows a Bible rests, — 
I've sheltered a Godfearing race. 
And listened to many earnest requests 
For needed strength and grace 
To bear whatever life had in store 
For those who found shelter within my door. 
And strangers passing thro." 

"Of sickness and sorrows I've known not a few, 

And of joys an endless chain, 

For healing followed each sickness thro, 



"FOREST ECHOES" 113 

And gladness followed the pain. 
Whatever my fate, — I soon will be gone — 
Whatever I know the sparrow alone 
Will know, or care to know!" 

Then the stately mansion, "Your tale may be 
I do not doubt that it is! [true, 

But — to be pounded and hammered I tell you 
Isn't any degree of bliss. 
You speak of sorrows, — I know of none, — 
I wish I could know the carpenter gone, 
And mason and painter too." 

"I hope I am finished, — I know I am, — 
I wish they would leave me alone! 
I'm patient and quite as Uncle Sam 
On his masterly wave washed throne. 
And I wish to goodness that pounding v/culd 

cease, 
And clatter and patter and noise, if you please, 
I certainly need a rest!" 



114 "FOREST ECHOES" 

SESAME 



When friendship lost is once regained 

How wonderful it seems! 
And tender thoughts by silence chained 

Re-echo in our dreams! 
No sweeter music fills the spheres. 

No sweeter chords resound 
Than tender memories fraught with tears 

That in our lives rebound. 

How sweetly true each moment seems! 

How joyously we hail 
Each pleasing vision of our dreams 

However fleet and frail! 
The past and present blend in one 

Dear bud of sweet delight. 
That blooms anew when we are gone 

To other worlds of light. 

And friendship lost shall be regained. 

And all will truer seem 
Than any chords however chained 

That \dbrate in our dream 
Where other music fills the spheres, 

And other chords abound 
Than tender memories, fraught with tears, 

That in our lives resound. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 116 

BLENDA 



Fireflies flashing in the night 
Are the beams of fadeless Hght 

In Aurora's crown. 
Fireflies fading in the night 
Are the silver stars that light 

Up Aurora's gown. 

Swiftly from her stellar height 
Darts the goddess of the night 

To her darkened bower; 
Silently, in frosty white. 
Goddesses of day and night 

Meet in rapture's tower. 

Tenderly the two combine, 
Slenderly the two entwine 

Each the others form! 
Both within the selfsame shrine 
Show a faint dividing line 

On the twilight borne. 



116 "FOREST ECHOES" 

MERRY MAIDS A-DANCING! 



Merry maids a-dancing, 
Childish hearts entrancing. 
Are the sunbeams glancing 

O'er the woodland paths. 
Tender maids a-glancing. 
Lover's hearts a-lancing. 
Are the beams enhancing 

Moonlit woodland swaths. 

Gleaming! gleaming! gleaming. 
Merry maids a-beaming 
Over childhood dreaming, 

Cease your merry dance! 
Fraught with sadness dreaming. 
Fraught with laughter gleaming, 
Joy v/ith sadness teeming 

Is your merry trance. 

Merry maids a-dancing. 
Happily a-prancing, 
Lovers' hearts entrancing, 

Cease your merry play! 
Tender moonbeams glancing. 
Woodland paths enhancing, 
Joyousness advancing. 

Be the maiden's stay! 



"FOREST ECHOES" 117 

MAID OF THE FOREST 



Maid of the forest, sweet appleblossom maid! 

Pride of the forest, nor faint nor afraid. 

Eyes dark as Autumn night, brown or azure 

blue — 
Looks bright as Summer Hght, — pure, sv/eet, and 
true. 

Maid of the forest. Sweet maid of mine. 

Pride of the forest, Brightheart of mine. 

Maid of the forest, sweet appleblossom maid ! 

Pride of the forest, nor faint nor afraid. 

Maid of the forest, sweet tenderhearted maid, — 
What lent your voice its tender aid? 
Who lit the starry light beaming in your eye? 
What made your soul so white this side the sky ? 

Maid of the forest, sweet maid of mine! 

Pride of the forest, sv/eetheart of mine! 

Maid of the forest, sweet appleblossom maid ! 

Pride of the forest, nor faint nor afraid. 

Maid of the forest, don your cap and gown! 
Maid of the forest, maid of sweet renown. 
Pride of the Wanderer's eye, — Pride of my heart! 
Sweetest beneath the sky, — Master of Art! 



118 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Maid of the forest, sweet maid of mine! 
Pride of the forest, sweetheart of mine! 
Maid of the forest, sweet appleblossom maid ! 
Pride of the forest, nor faint nor afraid. 



o 



SENSE AND NONSENSE 



When Sense wedded Nonsense from over the way 
We neighbors declared she had led him astray; 
For he was a man with a sensible mind. 
And she was a maid of the butterfly kind. 

But Sense and Nonsense are happy today, 
Happy as birds, in their own sweet way. 
They banter and tease in a playful way, 
And thus keep trouble and strife at bay. 

When Sense gives Nonsense the upper hand 
A bottle of imps are ready to land 
To scamper about in a heedless way. 
Till Sense meets Nonsense about half-way. 

Then Sense and Nonsense are happy again, — 
Happily tuned to their own sweet strain. 
They banter and tease in a playful way. 
And that keeps trouble and strife at bay. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 119 

STARLIGHT OF MY DREAMS 



I am lingering on the verdict of your ever truth- 
ful lips 
Like the ever thirsting honey-bee on nectar that 

it sips. 
Foi' your fancy — so it seems — 
Is the starlight of my dreams, — 
Is the starlight and the moonlight of my dreams ! 

I am waiting for the sun of love to shine on me 

again ! 
I am waiting foi- your verdict, dear, to cheer me 

on, and then 
Will your presence, with its beams, 
Now the starlight of my dreams. 
Be the sunlight, moonlight, starlight of my 

dreams ? 

And the tenderness that now I feel deep hidden in 

your heart 
Will revolve upon its orbit and reflect love's every 

part! 
Be your verdict what it may — 
Whether stay or go away. 
You will always be the starlight of my dreams! 



120 "FOREST ECHOES" 



GRANNY LAMORE 



Smiling and sweet at our hearthstone sits 

Our dearly loved Granny Lamore; 
So lightly old age has besieged her wits, 
And yet lingers far from her door. 

We all hold her dear. 

And our only fear 
Is that soon we will have her no more. 

Oh, Granny Lamore! 

Our Granny Lamore! 
Our dearly loved Granny Lamore! 

No wonder we love her and treasure her so 

This dear little Granny Lamore! 
For vv^e crave her blessing wherever we go. 
And rich is as ever her store. 

We all hold her dear. 

And our only fear 
Is that soon we will have her no more. 

Oh, Granny Lamore! 

Our Granny Lamore! 
Our dearly loved Granny Lamore! 



"FOREST ECHOES" 121 



THE PRINCESS MY-OWNIE! 



She lives quite apart, 

For her home is my heart. 
And the path to my heart is stony. 

I don't know her name 

So I can't be to blame 
If I call her The Princess My-Ownie! 

She is dainty and sweet. 

And whenever we meet 
I shall know her — this Princess My-Ownie. 

Be she brilliant or shy 

No laggard am I, 
And I'll win her, this Princess My-Ownie. 

She's the pride of my heart. 

And I love every art 
Of this beautiful Princess My-Ownie! 

Could she but be seen 

I'd make her my queen. 
This dear, danty Princess My-Ownie. 



122 "FOREST ECHOES" 

THE FRINGED GENTIAN 



A tender fringed blue gentain bloomed out in a 

field alone. 
And wrapped itself in its sweetness in a beautiful 

world of its own; 
It stood where the moon shone full in it thro a 

mist of silver sheen. 
But the tender thing looked down on it, and hid 

in its shield of green. 

It tendered its homage to earth and sky when the 

moon passed from sight. 
For well it knew that a kindlier eye looked oi^ 

with a kinder light! 
And when the king looked down on it and gave 

it a golden crown, 
The tender thing didn't frown on it. but put on 

a pale blue gown. 

And then when the moon had tired of itself, and 

traveled the wide world o'er 
It sought once more the tender thing that bloomed 

where it bloomed before. 
When next it flooded again the field with a radiant 

golden tinge 
It saw on the edge of the modest shield a beautiful 

pale blue fringe! 



"FOREST ECHOES" 123 

The tender thing with the pale blue fringe that 
bloomed in the field alone. 

And wrapped itself in its sweetness in a wonderful 
world of its own, — 

When the king, in love, looked down on it, and 
gave it a golden crown 

Gave of its sweetness the crown of it in a beauti- 
ful way of its own. 



o 



WHY IS IT SO? 



Whj'' leaps the glory to the shrouded heavens? 
Why lingers sadness over dell and dune? 
Why lifts the teardrop from the heart it leavens ? 
Why cheers the gladness of a songster's tune? 
Why is it so? 

Why is the charm we feel in some one's presence ? 
Why is the essence of the fragrant rose? 
Why is that subtle spell whose very essence 
Portrays all else, and nearer, dearer grows? 
Why is it so? 



L24 "FOREST ECHOES" 



WHERE SLEEPS 
THE LION OF THE NORTH 



Where sleeps the Lion of the North 
The emblem of the world went forth; 
It struck the giant on the heel. 
But that was made of Bessemer steel! 

And at each stroke the sparks would fly, 
And settle in the Northern Sky- 
Where each became a splendid star. 
And seven of them made a car! 

Another seven made a crown 
That then became the giant's own. 
And all because that, in the North, 
The Lion slept when Strife went forth? 



"FOREST ECHOES" 125 

YOU'RE SWEETER BY FAR 
AS YOU WERE— AS YOU ARE! 



There might be a fire in your every desire. 

More tender a gleam in your eye ! [cheek, — 
You might now be haughty where you are but 

More pronounced as the years go by; [meek, 
But you're sweeter by far as you were — as you 

Sweeter by far as you are ! [are — 

You are sweeter by far as you were — as you are — 

You're sweeter by far as you are! 

There might be fire in your every desire. 

But it pleases you never to yield! 
And of your sweet reticence I never tire — 

Be content within modesty's shield! 
For you're sweeter by far as you were — as you 

Sweeter by far My Star! [are, — 

You're sweeter by far as you were — as you are! 

Sweeter by far as you are! 

Your meekness is radiance, your tenderness 
Devotion shines forth in your eye ! [truth, — 

Your modesty shelters the essence of youth. 
Dearer still as the years go by! 



126 "FOREST ECHOES" 

You are sweeter by far as you were — as you 
Sweeter by far as you are! [are, — 

You're sweeter by far as you were — as you are! 
Sweeter by far as you are! 



o 



ARYANS 



Unheralded they came, and, Hke a wholesome dew. 
Refreshed the earth that needed birth anew. 
Their simple pleasures with their simple truth 
Alike revealed life's worth to sage and youth. 

Unheralded they came, as quietly they went, 
But left their own imperishable bent 
To holy thought, in holy creed expressed. 
As lived today in life lived at its best. 

With reverence for God and for Eternity, 

And loyalty born of fraternity, 

No sacred vision ever traced their need! 

They lived their simple faith within their creed. 



"FOREST ECHOES ' 127 



LOAVES AND LEAVEN 



As Faith lies dormant e'er in protoplasm 
But wakes to life each kind within itself. 
Whose first design is but to bridge the chasm 
'Twixe Nature's life and Nature's God himself 
So human Life and human Faith between 
The bridge of Love in humankind is seen. 

And when in life that bridge of love is breaking, 
Or useless made by hatred, sin, and strife, 
It gives to centuries yet in the making 
A check to impetus in finer, truer life. 

And God himself must silently stand by, 
And see His opportunities pass by. 

As God is witness! He rules in His Heaven, 
And we, down here, must rule as best we may. 
Our Faith the meal, our Love for Him the leaven, 
Our nobler impulses the baker's tray. 

The Bread of Life is thus to bridge the chasm, 
And be to life within its protoplasm. 



128 "FOREST ECHOES" 



THOU SHALT NOT STEAL! 



Thou shalt not steal ! 'But if the ones who love you 
The ones you've promised, under God, to feed 

Were hungry, and the ones who were above you 
Were smitten by the leprocy called greed; 
And all were wanting in the common veal 
How would you feel? 

'Thou shalt not steal.' But if the needs around you 
Had challenged all you, under God, held sound, 

And if the poverty you dread had found you 
As unprepared as others it had found, — 
Say, earnestly my brother, would you feel 
It wrong to steal? 

Who'd love you still, tho you that law had broken 
In just that way? Who'd be secured from sin? 

Christ gave His life, of victory a token, 

Now budding is the flower He died to win. 
Go, lend your aid to leaven all anew, 
And to His work be true. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 129 

THE MISSTER 



The misstei' in painfully patient mood 
Is winnowing Truth from the law of food; 
Is winnowing truth from barley and rye, 
And stamping its value on pudding and pie. 

Is wresting the Truth from rich and poor, 
And bringing results to every door. 
He opens the purse but shuts the lid 
Of wasteful extravagance. Common need 

Must needs another outlet find 
To free the poor from that horrible grind. 
For Poverty's illy misplaced weed 
Will sap a nation's life indeed. 

The misster winnows from garb and cloth, 
From creed and credence, thrift and sloth; 
From mirth and gravity, laughter and jest, 
Beauty and vanity, idleness, rest. 

He wrestles with problems young and old, 
And winnov^^s from suffering truths untold. 
He winnows Truth from all mankind — 
Truth in body, heart, and mind. 



130 "FOREST ECHOES" 

WHAT IS IT TO YOU? 



What is it to you that the tiny waif who crosses 

your path on the street 
Has a hollow eye and a hollow chest for want of 

something to eat? 
What is it to you that the tiny shred is shivering 

with the cold ? 
What is it to you with your hoary head, and your 

pockets lined with gold? 

What is it to you in your ermine coat, and your 

inborn, gentle pride, 
And your velvet need that the tender weed who 

is shivering at your side. 
And has taste and thought, and aim and aught as 

tenderly reared as yours? 
What is it to you in your gowns and furs, and 

your ocean trips and tours? 

What is it to you that the slender shield that is 

guarding your soul and mine 
Is of the same fibre and in the same field as is 

that of some one on the Rhine? 
What is it to you that the blood once spilled on 

the battle field in France 
Is part and parcel against His will who is our 

nation's lance? 



"FOREST ECHOES" 131 



AT FREEDOM'S CALL 



So once again we're called upon to view 

The battleground of oldtime pioneers. 
In younger forms they're living up anew — 

A younger generation now our vision cheers. 
And wrinkled brows and rosy faces blend, 
And silver locks o'er tender heads now bend 
Where youthful energy and veneration lend 
Their worthy purpose to a worthy cause. 

Fair Liberty is living up anew 

In Lincoln's thought of freedom for the 
And not the liberty of but a chosen few [world; 

Who grasp and hold where Freedom's flag's 

unfurled. 
And busy fingers weave a garment grand 
Within the borders of our own dear land, — 
A garment fashioned by our Father's Hand 

To fit the form of Liberty anew. 

It must not be a fetter or a bond; 

It must not be to slay, but well to heal; 
It well may be the lily in the pond, 

But not its slimy occupant, the eel. 



132 "FOREST ECHOES" 

The thought of living uppermost in all, 
The joy of giving heed to Freedom's call 
Will scale as insurmountable a wall 
As that of Slavery in sixty one. 



o 



GOLD 



Wealth condensed has a sordid sound 

When deeply buried underground; 

But oh, for the joy that wealth may bring 

When the happy owner of wealth doth fling 

Its radiant rays from a generous heart 

To the ones who need it and own it in part! 

And oh, for the spirits on radiant wing 
When back to that owner of wealth they bring 
That deeper treasure of wealth condensed. 
That comes from within, and is dimly sensed 
By the slumbering soul's own sorrowing heart, 
Who loves to deliver it all or in part! 



"FOREST ECHOES" 138 

THE QUEST 



A man made a finely cemented roof. 

And painted the pile, the warp, and the woof. 

The pillars he wanted he could not find 

For the matter in quest of them was blind; 

But still to his purpose he would cling 

As into the Ocean he hurled the Thing. 

Away out there he sat upon it. 

And it became old Neptune's bonnet, — 

Then he turned it bottom side up, 

And it became old Neptune's cup. 

Pride and Fame is the nectar in it. 
And many are they that try to win it. 
Many more will try for the gold 
That good old Neptune has in his hold; 
But the trident that grapples it won't let go, 
And only keeps swinging it to and fro; 
So he holds it for ever and ever in trust. 
For that wonderful trident will not rust. 
Many, to get it, will weather the gale. 
But the Hand that holds it will not fail. 



134 "FOREST ECHOES" 

THE CAT AND THE MOUSE 



Said the Cat as he caught her 

To the old mouse-king's daughter, 

"I'm happy as happy can be; 

Delighted to meet you. 

And soon I'll eat you — 

Now why are you sulky with me?" 

"I'm trying to please you, 

Play with you, tease you, 

And still you refuse to be gay! 

I am delighted. 

You look affrighted, — 

What may the matter be, pray?" 

"I've longed for a sight of you, 

A taste and a bite of you 

E'er since I've been on your trail. 

I long for the heart of you. 

Love every part of you 

From your nose to the tip of your tail." 

"Now cheer up, my sweet, 

I want something to eat. 

You're too near that hole in the floor. 

I want you to cry for me. 

Love me and die for me — 

Confound that old closet door!" 



"FOREST ECHOES" 136 



SEPTEMBER'S CHANGE 



September days are often fair. 
Its woods are always so; 
Its meadows are alive with rare 
Scents wafted to and fro. 

The dell in ever changing hue 
Holds out enchanting hands. 
The silver clouds in azure blue 
Sail over all the lands 

That now belong to Judah's Prince,— 
Well fit their crowns His brow! 
He rules, and has ruled ever since 
September heard the vow 

Of all Earth's trusting souls, and all 
That wait upon His will; 
And, while responding to their call, 
He whispers — Peace, Be Still. 



136 "FOREST ECHOES" 

INVENTION 



Sky high and world wide looms today 
A thing with a thousand heads. 

Neither on earth nor far away 

Is aught that the monster dreads. 

Nor subtle poison, nor giant strength. 

Nor depth, nor height, nor width, nor length, 
Nor the powers of earth and sky. 

It grows in size as it grows in kind 
And no one may bid it stay. 

Man's wants and needs it is bound to find. 
And none may hinder its sway. 

It lessens the distance 'twixt alien lands. 

It gives to its workers millions of hands 
With tireless skill and care. 

World wide and sky high looms today 
This thing with its thousand heads. 

Neither on earth nor far away 

Is aught that Invention dreads. 

It tackles the shaft of the deepest mine. 

It follows the course of the longest line. 
With Progress in its wake. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 137 

SIMPLICITY'S OWN 



We had a grand wedding right here in town. 
For it was, as you must know. Simplicity's own. 
The guests came from all parts, from near and 

from far, 
And each brought a jacket, a gown, and a car. 

The widow and orphan were left by the way, 
The tramp and the beggar had nothing to say; 
For they were not asked to that wedding in 

town — 
God knows they are not of Simplicity's own! 



o 



BEWARE! 



Since mock heroics are oft misleading. 
And love of power, for want of feeding, 
More often looks to the battlefield 
To place its name on a nation's shield, 

The men who fight and are nearest to it 
Have little reason to fear or rue it. 
The soulless beings that sent them there, 
Without exception, must reap the tare. 



138 "FOREST ECHOES" 

THE MORNING AFTER THE 
DAY BEFORE 



The morning after the day before 
We saddled our steeds and rode ashore. 
The dust rose high on our sHppery way, 
And soon in a dustcloud we sailed away, — 
And soon in a dustcloud we sailed away, — 

sailed away. 
Sailed in a dustcloud far away! 

And you may find our treasure store 

That we left when we rode our steeds ashore 

The morning after the day before! 

And we will be sfilin^r far away, — 

Sailing our dustyacht far away, — 

far away. 
And we shall be sailing far away! 

If you should find this fable true 

I must be blamed for it, sir, not you! 

If you should find this fable fair 

A rose will be blomming for you somewhere, — 

for you somewhere, — 
A rose will be blooming for you somewhere! 



"FOREST ECHOES" 139 

VESTALS WAITING 



The vestals waiting here today 
Some newer tasks are learning, 
And leave to others far away 
To keep the homefires burning. 

And, while in secret vigilance, 
Each maid this thought is keeping 
That somewhere on the soil of France 
The mate she sought is sleeping. 

These vestals now with eager hands 
Are finer torches lightning. 
That, held aloft in other lands. 
Will stay the world from fighting. 

And, while the men that go and come 
Must stoop to bloody revel, 
The vestals waiting here at home 
Will sweetly find their level. 



140 "FOREST ECHOES" 



SORROW'S DAUGHTER 



Gloomy the day and dark! 
All of her summers are most of them winters, — 
Shattered her feelings and crushed into splinters ; 
Battered and torn into infinite tatters 

All things that matters. 
Unhappy shroud of the Ark! 

Gloomy the day and bare! 
Dire disappointment marking each season. 
Wrapping in sorrow and sadness her reason; 
Mirth unbelieveable shaking her fetters, — 

Lustreless fetters, — 
Shall she release it, and dare? 

Oh, how she fights! 
Others are shielded and tenderly petted, 
She is but scoffed at, and waylaid, and fretted; 
Harassed indeed with its awfull persistence 

Her very excistence! 
Sorrowing reaper of blights. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 141 

ZENOBIA 



As throws the pagan wing of ancient story 
Beyond the centuries a mystic sheen 
About the loyalty, in pagan glory, 
Of fair Zenobia, the noble queen. 

So lifts ideals, from out nearer home, 

A new Zenobia as yet to come! 

Whose high and noble worth yet in the making 
Shall outshine even her of ancient name. 
And weave about her, in the centuries waking. 
The garments of imperishable fame. 

This new Zenobia from any source may spring 
But to that first Zenobia's worth she'll cling. 

o 
LINES 



Her bloom no fragrance wrought, 
Her love no tendrils sought 
That to the future brought 

A shaded Destiny; 
Leaving nor scar nor blot 
On Duty's sacred spot. 
Lending but tender thought 

To her Eternity. 



142 "FOREST ECHOES" 

THE MERMAID 



A ship slid over the harbor bar, 
A beautiful ship it was. 
A mermaid sat on the wave afar 
And saw the staunch ship pass. 

A thousand rainbows glittered on 
The spray where the bowsprit dipped; 
The Stars and Stripes looked down upon 
The spray the mermaid whipped. 

The wave where the restless mermaid sat 
Grew calm as the ship passed by; 
The angry mermaid hissed and spat — 
"That sight doth hurt my eye! 

I mind me the day of the Spanish Main, 
And the day of the Dutchman's Pride! 
The Union Jack, and the slaver's chain 
When I rode the crimson tide! 

Ah, — gladly would I whet my tricks, 
And gladly would I call 
A thousand maids with lamps and wicks 
To see that masthead fall! 



"FOREST ECHOES" 143 

And gladly would I yield my crown, 
And all my jewels rare 
If I could see that ship go down 
Among the boulders there!" 

The ship sped proudly on its way 
Away from the distant shore. 
The mermaid in fury lashed the spray, 
And was seen again no more. 

o 

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC 



When God clears the clearinghouse by and by 
We may love to deal with it. you and I, 
But woe betide us all till then 
While we live in a clearinghouse run by men! 

When the oldtime habit with cooties in it 
Has worn itself down to the manhood within it. 
That suffers and hides itself in shame 
From the something within it without a name, 

And the blighted being who hovers near him, 
Whom God has put here to love and cheer him 
Have turned again into angels of light 
We may know the clearinghouse rules are right. 



144 "FOREST ECHOES" 

STRATEGY 



I viewed my enemies, Hate, Fear, and Doubt, 
All to be conquered, or be put to rout. 
And Disappointment met me face to face. 
Its great apparent power was my disgrace. 

Hate came out slow! So cautious his attack, — 
With all my power I barely held him back. 
But now I'm glad I bade him enter in! 
The only thing that now I hate is — Sin. 

The giant Fear I conquered with a smile! 
That was the only weapon worth my while. 
And now I walk with Fear the whole day long, — 
The thing that most I fear is — To do wrong. 

Then there was Doubt ! He seemed the worst of all. 
Doubt looked immense, and I so very small. 
He seemed so vast, that dreadful foe of mine, 
He almost made me doubt all things Divine. 

But I have conquered ! I have found him out. 
No more I dread that awful monster Doubt; 
And where I doubted others now I doubt but one, 
That is myself. Of other doubts I've none. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 146 

On Disappointment I base my claims 

To greater effort, and to higher aims; 

And find those efforts were not made in vain. 

For what appeared my loss has proved my gain. 

Now all these warring factors are at peace. 
And strife within my little world may cease. 
With Strategy my Minister of State 
I feel secure as to my kingdom's fate. 

Now Hate, Fear, Doubt, and Disappointment I 

view 
As vassals all, for they are staunch and true; 
They do my bidding and I treat them well, — 
They never knew I conquered, never knew they 

fell. 



146 "FOREST ECHOES" 

REALMS OF THOUGHT 



In this noisy world 
There are times when we would 
Get away from ourselves, and God if we could. 
But no innermost segment of purpose of thought 
In regions above, below, or within. 
Can ever be hidden by bustle or din 
From Him who these regions with loving care 
And within Himself has them whorled. [wrought. 

Their center is God; 
Their uttermost boundary Him. 
Their every fiber, and substance, and dream. 
Whatever the garment enclosing a Thought, 
Whatever the emblem embodying it. 
Or whatever flame that ardent mind lit, — 
They all are of Him, mind, substance, and thought. 
The centre and substance is — God. 

When Thought is at rest 
We stagnate; we may linger on. 
Tho progress is halted, and life itself gone. 
The Thought of The Universe ever abides 
In the Mind it embodies, and shelters, and feeds; 
And other minds, lesser and lesser It breeds. 
The mind is the substance where Thought matter 
But its Crown and its Essence is — Rest, [hides, 



"FOREST ECHOES" 147 

TO A WANDERER 



Stay, Wanderei', why such a reckless race 
With your threescore years and ten? 

Why hurry along at that dangerous pace? 
Soon the race will be over — What Then? 

You're footsore and weary, and tired and worn, — 

All the world you are leaving behind. 

Your garments are dusty. One more forlorn 
Methinks 'twould be hard to find. 

That scar on your forehead ! How came it there ? 

Was it gotten in drunken brawl? 
Or is it the hallmark of one who would dare 

To obey stern Duty's call? 
Or is it the dent of the iron safe 
That shows the treasure secure? 
But if its sting shows the flagrant knave 

The stain you cannot cure. 

Those sloping shoulders — What made them thus 

To bend as the race you run? 
Was it work, or worry, or fear, or fuss, 

Or the thoughtless glitter of fun? 
Your face! It is aged and wrinkled and worn, 
The emblem of many a fray; 
Does it shelter a spirit battered and torn, 

Or a bettering ram of pay? 



148 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Or is it the shield of a kindly heart 
So creased and furrowed by Time, 

Where wrinkles and heartaches form a part, 
Or the truce of an unfriendly clime? 

But if your race is not all of you 

In worth and valor and grace; 

And if your heart is not good and true 
You cannot gain in the race. 



'NEATH FOREIGN SKIES 



We love to think the folks at home are brave! 
We all know what we'll meet across the wave! 
'Neath foreign skies, and of all else bereft, 
We've learned the value of the land we left. 

We love the Frenchman for his Madelon! 
We love her for her beauty, wit, and song! 
But in our hearts we proudly bend the knee 
To each his lassie far beyond the sea. 

'Neath foreign skies we may not linger long, 
For soon the Right must triumph over Wrong. 
May Liberty as proudly rear her dome 
When you and I. and Harry Jones come home! 



"FOREST ECHOES" 1*^9 

BEAR IN MIND THE 
TRIALS HERE 



Bear in mind the trials here, — 

Ask The Saviour to be near! 

Lighten some one's burden now, 

Be a sunbeam as you go. 

Bear in mind the trials here, 
Ask The Saviour to be near; 
Then the burdens higher up 
Will be lessened at the top. 

Dream not of forbidden things 
Like the penitent who clings 
To the sins that caused his fall, — 
Go and leave them one and all! 
Bear in mind the trials here, 
Ask The Saviour to be near; 
For the burdens higher up 
Must be lessened at the top. 

Angel forms are now at work. 
And their burdens may not shirk. 
What may be their part today 
Of Earth's sins to wrest away? 



150 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Bear in mind the trials here, — 
Ask The Saviour to be near; 
Then the burdens higher up 
Shall be lessened at the top. 



o 



LIFE'S MIRRORS 



We mirror The Creator in our life 
When we to Life's sweet simple dignity give heed ; 
And find its secret in the simple creed 
That He, who died on Golgatha, in life proclaimed, 
When all were loved, and only deeds were blamed 
Whose garb was woe, and habitation strife. 
Love is another name for Life 
When Death becomes an enemy of Strife. 

As is the virgin forest on a calm 
Sweet summer day reflected in the cool 
Clear waters of the mountain pool, — 
To other eyes and not their own — 
Sweet, tender eyes, that never knov>^ a frown — 
So life is mirrored as a healing balm 
When Love becomes our creed, 
And we to life's sweet, simple dignity give 

[heed. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 161 

KEEP AT THE HELM! 



I saw a vision bright, — 
A white winged being, I, 
On undimmed shores ahght 
Under an undimmed sky. 

Methought I felt the peace 
Of white Eternity! 
Just where the floodgates cease 
Of bright Eternity. 

A bright light without glare, 
A haven without blight, 
A fine surcease from care. 
Where all known things are right. 

Upon that undimmed shore 
I felt my vision blur; 
My eyes could see no more. 
And I lost sight of her 

Who should have been my guide, 
That white winged being, I, — 
Earth shadows at my side. 
Earth shadows passed me by. 



152 "FOREST ECHOES" 

But still on earthborn shore 
I feel my spirit thrill; 
And memory evermore 
Beside those waters still 

Doth linger. Lest awhile 
Earth shallows overwhelm, 
And earthly shoals beguile — 
Dear God! Keep at the helm. 



o 



TOMMY'S TROUBLES 



Tommy has troubles, he's less than three. 
And bright and loving, and full of glee, 

And has only just begun 
To find that a tumble now and then, 
Tho painful, forgotten will be again 

In a trail of laughter and fun. 

He is learning his letters one by one. 

He is learning them all as part or his fun, 

And his patience is put to the test; 
But after each failure he tries again. 
And sweetly forgets them now and then, 

Tho he always does his best. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 158 

His mother is gentle, and loving, and kind, 
And sweetly but firmly makes him mind 

As all Httle boys should do; 
But sometimes his troubles will overflow. 
And tears will come, — For don't you know! 

He needs to be good and true. 

And this can come only by slow degrees. 
And little by little he learns to please 

Himself, and others as well. 
He'll live to learn, that a heart of gold 
Is worth far more than riches untold, 

For its value none can tell. 

He scatters his playthings all around, — 
When he wants his doll it is not to be found. 

But somehow they all come to light; 
For some one is constantly in his wake, 
To love him, and comfort him, and to make 

His own little self seem right. 

He is blowing bubbles of brilliant hue — 

They delight him, and please him, and burst it is 

But are none the less true to him ; [true, 
For he finds in each glittering, glistening dome 
A truly delightful rainbow brought home 

That caters to every whim. 



154 "FOREST ECHOES" 

He's troubled to find that -each is true 
To its law of bursting as they go 

From the little bowl of clay. 
He tries to catch them, one and all, 
And finds that each strangely beautiful ball 

Will suddenly melt away. 

He knows how to creep, and run, and walk. 
But is only slowly learning to talk, 

And his tongue makes many a slip. 
He is one of the many who just begin 
To learn that in order to live and win 

On this common Earthly trip 

We love each moment in its own way, 
And make of the many a real day 

As part of a common plan. 
The best we can do is to learn in youth 
To follow the path of virtue and truth. 

As I know Tommy can. 

For nothing is ever hidden so deep 
In tenderly guarded mind asleep 

As to be out of reach 
Of one who is teacher, and friend, and guard, 
And Tommy's struggle, tho long and hard, 

Will a sweeter lesson teach. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 165 

He will scatter bubbles to and fro. 
And watch them burst, as others do, 

Till he is a man fullgrown; 
Then he'll turn from lesser toys 
To sing to sweet little girls and boys 

He proudly calls his own. 

Our Tommy is onesided still, we know. 

As presents, this Christmas, a goodly row. 

He found on the Christmas tree. 
Tho he scatters these presents all around 
The joy of giving is safe and sound 

Asleep in the Christmas tree. 

He plays with animals, cat and bear. 
Devoid of skin, and bones, and hair. 

And finds them sadly untrue. 
But, out of the scanty playroom tale. 
Kindness to animals, tender and pale, 

Methinks may be reared, — Don't you? 

His loves to play horse, and his ardent plea 
Is to be the driver, and truly be 

Master of v/hip and rein; 
But a sudden plunge makes Tommy sore, — 
He stops playing horse for an hour or more. 

And a different Tommy is seen. 



156 "FOREST ECHOES" 

For after each fall he'll turn to grieve. 
And one of his troubles is now to perceive. 

The hidden truth in a fall; 
For pleasure is often a dangerous trail. 
And moaning and fretting of little avail 

In turning to sweetness life's gall. 

He sings to buttons, and needle, and spool, 
And finds the needle a dangerous tool. 

Unless held by a careful hand. 
He strings the buttons one by one, 
And thinks when the last white thing is on 

Of himself as truly grand. 

He holds up the string with chubby hands, 
For the knot is firm that holds the strands 

Secure from his rolicking touch. 
And, tho he shakes it again and again. 
He cannot shake it to peices, but then — 

It does not matter much. 

For his childish troubles in childish plays 
Are turning his bent in other ways, 

Of use to him as a man. 
And you and I, if we truly try, 
May pass our wearisome troubles by 

As sweetly as Tommy can. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 157 

And Tommy's troubles, and Tommy's joys. 
Are only the common ones girls and boys 

Encounter on Life's High Road. 
And, whether they stumble, laugh, or fall. 
They'll learn at last that the common call 

Is to carry each one his load. 

And Tommy is happy as he can be 

When he finds himself untrammeled and free 

In a lesson that reads like this: — 
Do unto others as ye would 
Others in kindness would and should 

Do unto you! and miss 

So much of a common sorrow and care 
That all encounter. And who shall dare 

Deny our Tommy is true 
Only when once he has learned to forget 
That he is neither baby, plaything, nor pet, 

But a human being like you! 

Tommy makes blunders. He shouts with glee 
When he counts his fingers, one — two — three, — 

And haltingly stops at four; 
But memory does not forget its pet. 
And next time he tries he does better yet. 

And leaves then as never before 



158 "FOREST ECHOES" 

A place for tenderer seeds to sprout 

As Tommy's reasoning powers come out 

That need to be tended well; 
For the Way of Life is the Way of Truth, 
And this must needs be learned in youth 

As The Beautiful Book will tell. 

Some of his troubles are — getting teeth, 
As, pushing aside each tender sheath, 

They render their services free 
To a little man in a little way. 
That hasn't so very much to say 

When he is less than three. 

They help him talk — he doesn't know why! 
They bite into apple, candy, or pie. 

And sing a song of pain! 
But Tommy's mother is wiser than he. 
And makes them respond to a common plea. 

And sing in a sweeter strain. 

His teeth are healthy, and white as pearls, 
And mamma's delight, as are Tommy's curls, 

And his cheeks are roses fullblown. 
But pearls of Truth are hard to find, 
Tho they gleam and glisten in Tommy's mind 

E'er he is a man fullgrown. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 159 

His taste asks for sweets. They may not make 

him sick, 
But if freely indulged in it may prove a trick 

To fetter or hamper his will; 
Unless each tender impulse is properly led, 
And Nature's own darling is nourished and fed 

In a wiser manner still. 

What matters if Tommy be rich or poor, 
If health be lost there is nothing more 

For him to truly enjoy; 
For to my mind there is nothing as true 
To its own purpose, old or new. 

As a happy, healthy boy. 

And so in play, in work, in sport, 
In clean exertion of any sort. 

Our Tommy will hold his own. 
When he has exchanged his childhood play. 
And reached a firmer and surer way. 

And he is a man fullgrown. 

He scrawls his letters, A and 0, 

And sweetly laughs when he fails to do 

Each letter straight and true; 
But if he sees order in little things. 
As parts of beautiful unseen wings 

I think he sees straight! Don't you? 



160 "FOREST ECHOES" 

If he learns to know of cats and dogs, 
Horses and cows, and trees and logs 

As part of Nature's duty, 
A lily's chalice, a lily's stalk, 
A human hand and a box of chalk, 

As things of living beauty, 

He may live to learn that a pen of steel 
Is mightier weapon than prow or keel 

As part of the life of a Nation. 
And if he sings to land and plow. 
And horses and cows, as he does now, 

And adorns a lowlier station 

He still may wield the power of Truth, 
And sing to Labor in vigor of Youth, 

Defying the ravage of Age. 
Of other objects our Tommy sings 
To in hidden beauty in Common Things 

We'll tell on a different page. 

He may sing to pleasure, honor, or pelf, 
And when his manhood asserts itself 

He may sing to all of the three. 
He must have pleasure, the right kind of thing, 
A powerful mind must widen its ring. 

And yet be found loyal and free. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 161 



THE IMMIGRANT 



Happy to brave 

Turbulent wave. 

Stranger on shore. 
Nothing more. 

Selhng for pelf 

All but himself. 

Unfailing test — 
Integrity's best. 

One in his station 

Saviour of Nation. 

One of his mind — 
Hope of mankind. 



162 "FOREST ECHOES" 

HAD I THE WINGS! 



Had I the wings that I long for 
I'd laugh at the great divide, 

And not even give a song for 

A twentieth-century limited ride. 

I'd see the land of Ramona, 
Niagara and The Lakes, 

And way down in Arizona 

See petrified woods and snakes. 

I'd see fair nature's arena 

'Twixt Halifax and Saguenay, 

And way down in Pasadena 

Pick roses on Christmas Day. 

And then, by a north wind driven, 
I'd see earth's wonderful dam 

That now has been cleft and riven 
By our powerful Uncle Sam. 

I'd take a flight down to Cuba, 

And the black man's paradise too; 

The wheatfields of Manitoba, 
The ink lake of Idaho. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 168 

I'd search the caves of Kentucky 

For glistening stalactites. 
And then perhaps, were I lucky, 

See other wonderful sights. 



I'd make the mound of Ohio 

Their wonderful secrets yield; 

Roam thro the lands of the banjo. 
And rest in a bluegrass field. 



Or make the Eskimaux land my goal,- 
The land of harpoon and hook; 

And take a trip to the North Pole, 
And vie with Peary and Cook. 



I'd see the monument on Bunker Hill, 
The wonderful Palisades, 

With Liberty's statue my eyes I'd fill. 
And light in the Everglades. 



Yes, from the land of Priscilla 
I'd soar to the western coast, 

And of a trip to Manila 

Perhaps I'd make a boast. 



164 "FOREST ECHOES" 

I'd see all that is worth the seeing 
From crater to coral reef; 

I'd see the antelopes fleeing. 
The city of pork and beef. 

I'd see all that is worth the seeing 
In this wonderful land of ours. 

From where icebergs come into being, 
To the bloom of the southern bowers. 

I'd wing my way to Alaska, 

And view the goldfields at Nome, 

See bears at Lake Athabasca, 

And then, — perhaps I'd go home 

And tell a wonderful story 

Of mountain, prairie, and sea. 

From scenes bathed in western glory 
To the home of the chickadee. 

And I'm sure I'd see the sights of 
This wonderful land of ours, 

And know all the dear delights of 

Both glaciers and fragrant bowers. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 165 

SPICES 



A friend of mine is justly proud 
Of the things on her pantry shelf; 
The names of the spices, she avowed, 
She could not remember herself. 

I know it for truth, and I saw the array, 
And for me also a task 
Not for a minute, an hour, but a day, 
And the questions I'd have to ask. 

Spices and condiments, — every kind 
Required by a careful cook 
For a wellspread board, that hand and mind 
Could find at a single look. 

I thought to myself as I saw her work 
"It is well they must be what they are! 
Salt must be salt, and stopper and cork 
Keep the flavor of powder and bar. 

Just think if pepper should want to be sour. 
And sugar should wish to be salt! 
And each had its way, the will, and the power, 
The cook would be sadly at fault. 



166 "FOREST ECHOES" 

And poor plain salt should tire of itself 

And lose its power to salt! 

What a mess there would be on that pantry 

Would any one be at fault? [shelf, — 

No wonder things do not go right at all 

In the human spicebox today. 

Where most of the short people wish to be tall, 

And sad ones want to be gay. 

And each is trying to hide himself 
Behind what he wants to appear; 
And cannot get off from the common shelf. 
And cannot get rid of his fear 

That others may know what is plain to be seen! 

This is what the matter is: 

Each tries to hide he is clean or mean. 

And goes on in foolish bliss. 

This world is a spicebox, and you and I 
Have our uses, each one of his sort; 
Just think if you who are noble and high 
Should just be a common sport! 

And I not be salt when I feel that I am. 
What a worthless thing I'd be! 
A thing for which He could find no name — 
The teacher of Galilee. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 167 



AN APPEAL 



Calm flowed the river above the dam, 
Not a ripple its surface stirred 
Save those round a tiny boat that swam 
Like a helpless, whitewinged bird. 
But the planks in the dam were strong and stout, 
And the boatman knew what he was about. 
And smiling and peaceful the shore. 

The birds in the bushes, the flowers on the 
And the smiling summer sky [bank. 

With its tiny clouds charmed me. I drank 
In the beauty of earth and sky; 
But the man in the boat did not feel that way, 
The air made him drowsy — try as he may 
He could not keep awake. 

No danger of drifting. One could not drift 
Thought the man who had never a fear [far 
But that all things were right! They always 
When the Tempter is drawing near. [are 
So a something he drew with care from the hold 
Of the boat. A something some demon sold. 
And, reader, you know the rest. 



168 "FOREST ECHOES" 

None knew how it happened, but over the 
Went the boat while the boatman slept, [falls 
Who will never again hear the childish calls, 
Nor see where the children wept. 
He v/as a good man and a loving one. 
And how much they miss him now he is gone 
His wife alone may know. 

We all think we are strong, God knows we are 
But the strongest are those who fear [not, 
To play with the tempter, but check on the 
Any harm to the ones most dear. [spot 

But visions are blurred, and wills go astray; 

The tempter is near, — Is he ever away? 
And danger seems far away. 

God pity the wife and child of a man 
With no manhood, wherever he be! 
Who, though bound with the fetters inemper- 
Bind with, still thinks he is free, [ance can 
Shall you of today swell that number? Shall you, 
In spite of the many of you who are true. 
Aid such slavery? Never! I know. 



'FOREST ECHOES" 160 



SHEPHERD OF THE FLOCK! 



Shepherd of the flock, Redeemer, 
Why the dimness of the skies? 
Jesus of the flock. Redeemer, 
Why the tears that flood our eyes? 

Shadow of the Cross is o'er us! 
Help us out from off its doom. 
Spread its brightness out before us. 
Clustered now in ancient gloom. 

Darkly o'er the earth is spreading 
The full measure of our woe. 
Why the din? The toruture treading? 
Why the sadness as we go? 

God's fair world needs no redemption; 
We alone have gone astray. 
Grant from folly our exemption! 
Hear us. Savior, now we pray. 



170 "FOREST ECHOES" 



PERSPECTIVES 



With blemish of faith. 
And blemish of trait. 

And blemish of sinful soil 
No wonder the clown 
Is deriding the gown. 

And blasphemers purloin the toil; 
No wonder the sloth 
Is deriding the cloth, — 

The wick cannot burn without oil. 

With faith that endures, 
And shrivels all lures. 

And subtly enriches the soil 
No wonder the creed 
That meets every need 

Engenders each separate coil; 
No wonder the man 
Who does all he can 

Is doubly enriched by the toil. 



'FOREST ECHOES" 171 



THE EARTH'S LAMENT 



A demon rose from out an empty sea, 
And chartered all the evil within me. 
With preconceived thought it havoc wrought, 
Rendering that holy which men fought. 
Pregnant with sadness it encompassed all, 
Causing the scourge of nations, and the good man's 

fall. 

Tis said 'twas not of me ! It was concealed from 

heaven ! 
For all this trough of woe where is the leaven? 
Man barters The Redeemer's costly pearls 
For flimsy pleasurings with wanton girls. 
For filtered sadness that the poor fools seek 
Give them repentant tears upon a modest cheek. 

In everlasting Truth his own regrets are hidden, 
And must confront his soul, and come unbidden 
As lightly held achievement in sinfull pleasure 
Reacts upon his soul in twofold measure: — 
Lamenting this I do lament it all. 
The scourge of nations and the good man's fall. 



172 "FOREST ECHOES" 

First, — in the habit of ungoverned passion 
That tends to shrink the garb ideals fashion! 
Ideals are his own true selves let loose. 
That also fit his soul when in repose. 
Second, — in poisoned thought within the other,- 
The sinless soul of his own weaker brother. 



o 

THE BORDERLANDS OF 
INIQUITY 



The border lands of Iniquity 

In a lowly sphere are everywhere; 

On a higher plane you're safe and san« 

Within the bounds of Integrity. 

The border lands of Iniquity 
Where the extreme low has far to go, 
To the extreme high is always nigh 
At the border land of Indignity. 

The border lands of Iniquity 
Are spreading their hands o'er all the lands; 
Their boundaries go to high and low. 
But never o'erlap Eternity. 



"FOREST ECHOES" ITJ 

THE DEATH OF THE 
VILLAGE DOCTOR 



The doctor is dead. 
The birds are singing as before 

Overhead ; 
The bees are hurrying to the hive 
Just the same as when he was ahve. 
Flowers are blooming side by side 
Just as they did before he died. 
Everybody, rich and poor. 
Resents Death's call at the doctor's door. 
Why was he taken? He never frowned 
At any pain a body owned. 
Gone where he finds a better start 
In the place prepared for the pure in heart. 
Tested and trusted, — true to the core. 

o 

THE BEAGLE 



With feathers plucked from the eagle's chest 

The scarecrow Europe feathers its nest; 

To far dominions its nations sail 

On feathers plucked from the eagle's tail. 

And bolshevism, between the two, 

May get the scarecrow and eagle too. 



174 "FOREST ECHOES" 

THE TREATY 



The Allie's centripetal force, 
The German's centrifugal motion. 
Are each neither better nor worse 
Than the other, for sad locomotion. 

The big four are saying "You must!" 
And to it the big four are holding. 
The world stands astounded, aghast, 
As the Treaty of Peace is unfolding. 

The Germans decline to assume 
Such hideous, harsh obligations; 
The Allies fidget and fume. 
And put on some more regulations. 

We, justly, may call it a Treaty of Hate, 
And vastly defunct in its meaning 
Incepting corruption in county and state, 
And heinous indeed in its gleaning. 

What is it they fight for in China and Hell 
If not for a world desolation? 
The Allies are learning the secret so well 
In serving the horrid collation 



"FOREST ECHOES" 176 

That never a dewdrop of love 

May enter the throats now a-thirsting. 

A Treaty of Peace! Ah, — the dove 

Has no mission. Its sad heart is bursting! 



o 



COME UNTO ME! 



Come unto Me all ye who are 

Not yet set free — from near, from far! 

Come, heavy laden, one and all, 

I'll give ye aid and hear your call! 

Come unto Me ye sin oppressed, 
I'll set you free, and give you rest! 
My yoke is easy, burden light. 
Your soul's release is My dehght! 

Come, learn My law, it is the best! 
It has no flaw, 'twill give you rest! 
Love's whole decree at My behest, 
As all of Me, will deem you blessed! 



176 "FOREST ECHOES" 

TO THE ALLIES 



Ye blinded idiots! Can ye not see 
Ye give men license and not liberty. 
Within your treaty half the world will smother ! 
Before the year is out 'twill want another. 
Another bloody deal ! Another shameless pact ! 
And History will doublecross the act. 



TO A DANDELION 



Who gave you verdure, life and light? 
Who made your diadem so bright? 
Who serrated your leaflets so? 
Who told your rootlets where to go 
To find the lustre of your cup? 
Who taught your petals to look up? 
Who told you how to look on high 
To greet your brother across the sky? 



"FOREST ECHOES" 177 



THE MISCHIEF-MAKER 



"Thou full moon, retreat under cover! 

Thou searest the heart of a lover! 

Go, hide under canopies dotted with stars, 

And keep a poor mortal from showing his scars." 

"Then lily and lilac and clover, 
When our little love dream is over, 
Then all of those memories tender and true 
Will fade with the moonlight from out of our 

view." 

The moon found its way under cover. 
But seared was the heart of the lovei-. 
A long train of memories tender and true 
Remained when the full moon had faded from 

view. 

When lily and lilac and clover 

Had faded the heart of the rover 

Had found that those memories hidden from^ view 

Were part of himself, and he had to be true! 



178 "FOREST ECHOES" 

A BARNYARD LAY 



A goose and a gander 
Were destined to wander 
Out on the kings highway. 

The weather was fine, 

The hour was ten, 

"This hour is mine" 

Cried the speckled hen; 

And her "Cut-a-ca-dak ! 

You'll never come back," 
Reached the two passing out thro the gate. 

The goose and the gander 
Had started to wander 
Out on the king's highway. 

The speckled hen 

On her stolen nest 

Spied them again, 

And lifted her crest; 

Then "Cut-a-ca-dak ! 

You'll never come back!" 
Cried that tiresome old speckled hen. 

But the goose and the gander 

Still wanted to wander 

In spite of the speckled hen. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 179 

When a load of hay 
On the king's high road 
Came near, the "I tha-a-y" 
Of the geese was no good; 

And the "Cut-a-ca-dak, 
You'll never come back!" 
That came from the speckled hen 

Were the last sounds the gander 
Who started to wander 
Out thro the barnyard gate 

Was destined to hear. 

For the load of hay 

As it drew near 

On the king's highway. 

Ere the shrillvoiced hen 

Was heard again. 
Sent the cartwheels over his head. 

When the silly gander 

Had ceased to wander 

The goose heard over again: — 

"His wit was too short, 

And his neck was too long, — 

He's spoiled for sport, 

He's spoiled for song; 

So, cut-a-ca-dak, 

He'll never come back!" 
From that meddlesome speckled hen, 



186 "FOREST ECHOES" 

THE SONG OF THE 
SPECKLED HEN 



When our optimistic gander. 
Striking out on unknown trails, 
With characteristic candor 

Won't admit his mission fails, — 
Speckled hens forget the laying 
Of just ancient timeworn eggs; 
They may even go a-flaying 
Gentlemanly, trusted yeggs. 

When I see the wasted billions 
That our warlords shovel forth; 
When I see the rolling millions 
Of the Negroes coming North; 
When I see the black man's folly 
Perch upon the white man's greed 
As an unassuming Polly 
I'm a pessimist indeed. 

When I see the hangman's lever 
Keeping deathwatch on the Rhine; 
See the constitution sever 
From the flag its countersign; 



"FOREST ECHOES" 181 

See the statesmen playing havoc 
With the so-called Nation's League 
I would like to play like havoc 
With political intrigue. 

When I see the slender purses 
Stretched to cover hungry broods; 
When I hear the muttered curses 
Of the workers' varying moods, 
And I see our country's danger 
In its optimistic views 
I confess I am a stranger 
To all colors but the blues. 

When I see the cruel justice 

Of an armored centipede 

Turned into a dire injustice 

To all humankind in need 

I believe the common kindness 

We here boast of day by day 

Should replace the stubborn blindness 

That we practise far away. 

When I read, in ancient story, 
Of democracy of old 
I can see its doubtful glory 
Turn to misery untold. 



182 "FOREST ECHOES" 

In a nation ruled by masses. 
And the masses ruled by mobs, 
No security for classes 
Can be found tho Justice sobs. 

When I see young habits forming 
Against ancient heritage. 
And, that massive stronghold storming, 
Start to break the coming age; 
When I see a nation's beacon, 
Truth and Justice, put to rout, 
See them totter, judge and deacon, 
I'm master hand at — doubt. 

When I see the daily manna 
Just let down for playful use. 
Like an overripe banana. 
Stored away for future use 
I am somewhat of a skeptic — 
Ripe bananas do decay, — 
That the modern antiseptic 

To earth's rottenness, will pay. 

When I see the mottled sinews 
Of our manhood in the dust; 
When I see the good within us 
Blossom out in common lust 



"FOREST ECHOES" 183 

I can see no fun in joking 
Over pitfalls set by men 
Given to optimistic cloaking, — 
I am pessimistic then. 

When I see the poor man tugging 

At a bit of blank despair. 

And its gall and wormwood hugging 

Him like a feroceous bear 

I can see the tusks a-growing 

Of our useless elephant, 

Who, while better seeds we're sowing, 

Tramples down each tender plant. 

When I see our Earth's Gehenna, 
Where a tribe of weaklings breed. 
Given a sugared pellet when a 
Purging essence is the need; 
When the clown absorbs the scepter. 
And the madman wields the fuse. 
And the jester reads the chapter 
Meant for ablatory use 

I can feel our cables slacken. 
For our Ship of State, adrift, 
Cannot anchor where we blacken 
Waters where the quicksands sift. 



184 "FOREST ECHOES" 

Little use to point out dangers 
Foolish mortals will not see! 
Wisdom's words and fools are strangers 
To each other — slaves or free. 



o 



CONTRASTS 



A deacon rose in church with revered mien, 
(I wish his inside face you could have seen) 
And called upon the Lord in phrases many; 
(His real thoughts were hardly worth a penny) 

A little angel sang up in the choir, 
Her little heart aflame with righteous ire; 
She sav.' alone the deacon's hoarded gold 
When he to God his many wants had told. 

We tell our wants to a just God in vain 
If with indifference we look on others pain. 
It matters not if prayers are few or many 
If we but help the poor with pound and penny. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 186 

AN OPTIMISTIC VIEW 



When I see earth's hidden treasures. 
One by one, brought out for use, 
See the cleaner, healthful pleasures 
That our youths not now refuse. 
When I see earth's fair endeavor 
Feed its sacrificial flame, 
And the proud in heart forever 
Banished from its fair domain 

I can see God's shining acres. 
Fair and fertile, loom in sight; 
And the death-demanding breakers 
Lie revealed in earthborn light. 
And a newer, finer era 
Dawns upon our future ken, — 
Well within that selfsame era 
I'm an optimistic hen. 

Earth's fair form, and God's fair garden 
Each upon the selfsame spot. 
Lie revealed. God is the warden. 
Of the dear, delightful spot. 
Garden spot of all creation 
Is our gentle, newborn Earth; 
Cleansed from all that bars fruition. 
Gentle, fragrant, fertile Earth! 



186 "FOREST ECHOES" 

'STEENTH STREET LET LOOSE 



When our haberdasher-general, 

Massachusetts in repose, 

Saw the hoodlumism-in-general 

One September day let loose 

Old Dame Boston showed a sample 

Of what anarchy may do, 

And she saw her hoodlums trample 

Down her ancient customs too. 

All authority was dozing, 

All the heads thereof were free 

To go out of town bulldoozing 

Faithful citizens like me. 

And the watchdogs of the city, 

When they saw each wellfed buck 

Out a-sporting, all took pity 

On themselves and quickly struck. 

All the wolves and cubs and foxes. 
All the grizzleys in their lairs. 
Started to demolish boxes 
Singlehanded, or in pairs. 
Nothing was left unmolested 
By these vermin on a spree. 
Bad as ever yet infested 
Even shameless old Paris. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 187 

I am glad I am a member 
Of earth's proud hypothenuse, 
Where we. each and all, remember 
That our faithful flag of truce 
Must not lose its regal whiteness 
By such shameless acts as these; 
Law-and-order's shining brightness 
Is the heritage of Peace. 



o 



IN PASSAGE 



Just a slender bird of passage 
Guided by earth's Morning Star! 
Just a stranger with a message 
Passing out beyond the bar. 

Just the loving and the giving 
Is enough Oh Lord for me! 
But the incidents of living 
Shed their glory over me. 



188 "FOREST ECHOES" 



REVERBERATIONS 



Poetic aspirations are the tests 

Of higher denizens in higher art 

That do reach down to where the Godhead rests, 

The deepest recesses within the human heart. 

The Way. the Truth, the Life, of which The 

Saviour speaks 
Is there revealed as what the earnest seeker seeks. 
I could not write like this were it not given 
As highest impulse from a highest Heaven. 
I sought, and found, in Truth majestic light 
That scatters radiance through Earth's darkest 

night. 

I saw the righteous trampled in the dust 
In shameless contrast to our high ideals. 
And could not see wherein to put our trust 
Except within the strongholds of these samt 

ideals ; 
And, seeking those, I found the hidden spring 
That light and life to future ages bring. 
Revealing, as they do, earth's fitfull mission 
They find within themselves a clearer vision 
In all things that pertain to love and light, 
And help bewildered mortals to live Life aright. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 189 

We can not falter in our royal march 

If we go hand in hand with them at starting, 

And though within ourselves we sometimes parch 

We're holding on to them e'en at the final parting. 

The person's parting from the person's shell 

Will leave the personality in hell 

Unless there be a full and free surrender 

Of our own souls to God, with Truth as legal 

tender. 
Then Justice stands appeased in its retreat 
Behind The Throne of God, The Mercy Seat. 



O 



"GOOD MORNING" 



"Good morning, sweet day, 
What have you to say 
To a little bird flying, 

And a little girl crying?" 

"There's a cloud in the sky. 
It is floating on high! 

There's a bee in the clover. 
And sunshine all over!" 



190 "FOREST ECHOES" 

SILHUETTES 



In the days when Autumn Hngers 
Over recent summer views. 
And with swift majestic fingers 
Spreads majestic autumn hues. 
And the birds at twihght Hnger 
Under eaves the woods hold out 
Then the erstwhile silent singer 
Sings what others dream about. 

Looms the blackness of the ages 

Over ages yet to come 

Other hands for higher wages 

Work until earth's work is done; 

Ancient fields in ancient story 

Show the v/ork these hands have wrought ; 

Like the autumn tints of glory 

Ages bring what ages brought. 

Autumn winds are swiftly sweeping 
Out the havoc Death has wrought; 
All the silent, bitter weeping 
Bows before the higher thought 
That earth's regime of Sorrow, 
Fostered by earth's inborn woe. 
Levels out each coming morrow,— 
One the furrow, one the hoe. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 19^ 

Little wanderers by the wayside 
Love the path where humans tread, 
And the wavelets by the bayside 
Love their silent, rocky bed 
Just because the human nearness. 
And the hidden sympathy. 
Brings about the perfect clearness 
Of the little verb— to be. 

Angels deem it worth the effort 
To unite the hidden springs. 
Coupled with the human effort 
We reveal in common things. 
Lies the everlasting fountain 
Of the Godhead's living spring. 
Then to valley and to mountain 
Doth the loving Godhead cling. 

One must dovetail with the other. 
Willing human deeds with those 
That for lack of help may smother 
Where our frightful harvest grows; 
Humble heart and nimble finger 
Of the human at his best. — 
And the angels love to linger 
With humanity at rest. 



lye "FOREST ECHOES" 



ISABELLA OF SPAIN 



She knew not of the wealth her jewels brought. 
She knew not of the glorious vision caught 
By him who begged for active sympathy, 
Nor of the still more glorious reality. 

He begged, and did not beg in vain; 
First of his God, then of the Queen of Spain, 
He prayed. And as his prayer was heard 
Emotions of a deeper kind were stirred. 

She had been taught, while yet in early youth, 
To step aside from what resembled Truth. 
When, with the king, she listened to the plea 
Of the poor wanderer from sea to sea 

She rose superior to mortal mannered view, 
And followed her good heart in what was true. 
As timely aid her valued treasures brought 
A timely anchor for his hopes she wrought. 

Life is a theme more glorious than we. 
As fully fettered human minds, can see. 
We dream not of the worth of deeds we do 
Until the fetters loosen as we humbly go 



"FOREST ECHOES" 193 

Beyond ourselves. And in a wider sphere 
Note the fair tendencies to others dear. 
God-given minds are worth god-given thought, 
And with her jewels a new world she bought. 



o 



WIT 



Wit is a priceless thing when rightly used, 
But withers all things when it is abused. 
It shelters harmony in its capacious pocket, 
And is the miniature within the locket. 



A FAIR EXCHANGE 



A turn and a twist 
Of an educated wrist. 

And the molar came out of its socket; 
With motion as swift 
As that pain set adrift 

A dollar came out of my pocket. 



194 "FOREST ECHOES' 



EFFORT AND ENDEAVOR 



Said Effort to the mildly made Endeavor: — 
''Now, what's the use of your just being clever? 
You just look on, and let the humbugs brew! 
If I were you I would get up and — do." 

Then answered he unto his hotter mate: — 
"Methinks your flurry is a little late; 
If you think all the world in such a stew 
Why don't you. Effort, just get up and — do?" 

I do not know just how the matter ended. 
For Effort by Endeavor must be tended; 
And Effort and Endeavor headed wrong 
Will make the path of Error wide and long. 

And wisdom's way by bulky Error hidden 
Will find Wisdom itself sick and bedridden. 
When wisdom's rarer flowers in secret bloom 
The path of Error ends in sudden gloom. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 195 



AS IT IS WRITTEN 



The harlot Havoc, Greed's voluptuous mate. 
Sets up her throne within both church and state. 
And with her two assessors. Wealth and Passion, 
Does her perniceous work in fame and fashion. 

Lusts are her daughters, a rebellious set! 
A string of vipers, though but half -grown yet. 
And if their venomuos fangs are not extracted. 
The horrors of the Earth must be protracted. 



o 



EZEKIEL 



He put himself in his own soul's keeping, 
And trusted that soul for his final reaping. 



o 



DANIEL 



He looms so large in the eastern sky,- 
A beacon light for the passer by. 



196 "FOREST ECHOES" 

SARCASM 



A useless weed, made 

harmful by its presence 
Where dignity is part 

of life's florescense; 
It harbors illwill even 

at its best. 
And poor humanity is better off 

without its horrid test. 

o 

WORSHIP 



Our thoughts are our temples, whose altars are 

deeds ; 
The incense examples, the flames are our needs. 

When offerings falter our altars decay; 
We build other altars by needs of today. 

We priests are in danger as never before 
If we to each stranger unhinge not the door. 

The light, sometimes cruel, is Holy Desire; 
Each deed is a jewel when purged in its fire. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 197 



THE ALTAR OF BAAL 



Men builded an altar, and put thereon 
A craven image, a bald icon. 

They added their wit, their it, and their ism, 
And called it all Americanism. 

They gloried in their needless despair. 
And the sorrowing idol put on hair. 

They bowed before that altar of shame. 
And gave it a proud celestial name. 

Its rumored wisdom was set afloat. 
And gave the idol a splendid coat. 

Then something within the altar burst 
And Bolshevism came out first. 

Pure Autocracy came out next 
And gave its hearers a golden text. 

The text was given in accents many, — 
It did not trouble its hearers any: — 



198 "FOREST ECHOES" 

The priests that danced about the altar 
Singing their hideous, sinful psalter. 

When will it corne, — with its real merit, — 
The truly regal American Spirit? 



o 



DAWNINGS 



When the ruler and the people 
Walk together hand in hand. 
And the schoolhouse and the steeple 
For the same religion stand, 
And the mysticism surrounding . 
Death and Life has cleared away 
We are ready for the sounding 
Of the depths of common clay. 

We, at present, are beginning 
A new era, a new Day. 
Matter against Spirit sinning 
Keeps the spirit light at bay; 
Yet, the searchlight will not fail us. 
For the keepers at their posts 
Will reveal what may assail us 
All along the unknown coasts. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 199 

Let them murmur at the parting 
Of the spirit from the clay! 
They can not prevent the starting 
Or that spirit on its way. 
Untold eons, untold ages, 
In their mystical array, 
Are the rulers, are the sages, 
We — receptacles of clay. 

When the Spirit serves The Master 
In the matter, in the mind. 
We are myrrh and alabaster. 
Essence in the clay confined. 
Concentration of the spirit 
In a consecrated mind. 
We, ourselves, within that spirit 
Consecrated egos find. 



o 



GOOD HUMOR 



The oil of life, spread o'er a troubled sea. 
That, joined to wisdom^ makes us mortals free 
To lift from out of sinful jest and revel 
The common acts of life unto a higher level. 



200 "FOREST ECHOES" 

OUR DEMOCRACY 



When our president was over 
Hooverizing in Paree, 
And the sordid ones in clover 
Sucked the honey from the bee 
There were other fighting furies 
Than these few that shine above, — 
Faithless judges, faithless juries. 
Faithless all because of love. — 

Not for love of right and reason, 
Nor for love of lasting peace! 
But for love of greedy treason, 
Love of power, love of ease; 
Love of harlot for the miser. 
Love of gipsy for the coin, — 
These were things the sturdy kaiser 
Steadfastly refused to join. 

Gentlemen were pulling triggers 
At their friends in Mexico, 
Fraternizing with the niggers 
That are mostly white, you know. 
Oh! Democracy is galHng 
In its horrid make-believe; 
Rightly named it is appalling 
For its aim is — to deceive. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 201 

"Oh, I tremble for my Country! 
For its welfare, hope, and trust, — 
Oh, I tremble when. My Country, 
I reflect that God is just!" 
One of our great statesmen uttered 
When he saw our deeds of shame; 
But our bread is left unbuttered 
If we dare to say the same. 

Oh, Democracy, thy freedom 
Is a myth! Thou art no more 
Just and gentle in thy greedom, 
Nor as generous as before. 
What would fit thy purpose better ? 
Listen, now! Is it not true? 
We're not free. We feel each fetter 
Most when liberties are few. 



202 "FOREST ECHOES" 



MODERN WORSHIP 



Do you wonder things are turning 
Out the exact way they do 
When both you and I are burning 
Useless incense as we go? 
From our nickelplated worship 
True religion holds aloof; 
God and Mammon we may worship 
Never 'neath the selfsame roof. 

Dwarves in character and knowledge. 
Dwarves in faith, and dwarves in prayer, 
Dwarves in all but fitful knowledge 
Of sincerity of prayer, 
Buffeted by circumstances 
We are prone to worship wrong; 
Circumstances favor chances 
For immortal temple song. 



"FOREST ECHOES" 203 

TOO TIRED TO PRAY! 



Too tired to pray? Ah yes. my child! 
The day is long! The tempest wild! 
The stormy ocean's briny deep 
Is hard to travel on, and keep 

Your heart aright. 

Your mind from sin. 

Unless your light 

Shines bright within. 

Too tired to pray? Ah yes. He knows 
Who stills the tempest where He goes! 
He from afar is looking on, 
And His the rock you're building on. 

Your heart and mine 

Are His to keep. 

And we must shine 

When others sleep. 

Too tired to pray? Ah yes, within 
Are secret places free from sin; 
We do not know the power He owns, 
We only know with what He crowns. 

Go, sin no more 

Is all He asks; 

Walk as before 

In lowly tasks. 



204 "FOREST ECHOES" 

DISTILLATION 



When I reflect upon the ills 
That human flesh is heir to. 
And view the wretched human wills 
That misery is fair to. 

And all the fickle human thrills 
That add a glamour thereto. 
And all the superficial quills 
That distance lends a chair to, 

And see the tramping and the drills 
That money gives a glare to. 
And all the superhuman frills 
That all this adds a hair to. 

And see the pile of unpaid bills 
That doctors give a care to. 
And all the wicked hidden stills 
That misery pays the fair to, 

I see the smoldering, smoky hills 
That all this makes a stair to. 
And know the unforgotten thills 
That Death's pale horse may swear to 



"FOREST ECHOES" aO« 

Is not the only thing that kills. 
And killing us may dare to 
Upbraid the thing with which it fills, 
And never give a scare to. 

Then I can feel the awful chills 
That God's fair world is bare to; — 
I know that all these unpaid bills 
We mortals must give care to. 



o 



VENTILATION 



Living and loving, reaping and sowing. 
Giving and loving, leaping and glowing. 
Sowing and gleaning, growing and gleaming. 
Grasping at all things that add to Life's meaning. 
Sweeping God's earth with a tender regard, 
That is the gift of the God-given bard. 

Temple of God has a lowly foundation. 
Mustering every hand of the nation; 
Mustering sickle and reaper and ration 
For its impregnable, pure ventilation. 

Temple of God, may Thy sickles be keen! 

Temple of God, may Thy beauty be seen. 



206 "FOREST ECHOES" 

MORNING HYMN 



God of love, of life, of light; 
God of knowledge, sense and sight; 
Grant Thy blessing here we pray! 
Guide and keep us all today. 

Let Thy Spirit hover near, 

Hover o'er us. Saviour Dear. 

As we walk in wisdom's ways 

Guide and keep us all our days. AMEN. 



JE N'OUBLIfi 



I must be strenuous in my care, — 
The boardwalk has its trick. 
On either side sits black Despair 
Wielding a waiting stick. 

I must not falter, must not swerve 
In spite of lurking brine! 
Full well I know that I must serve 
A higher will than mine. 



